B

vs.

Does random drug testing of high school athletes violate

the search and seizure clause of the Fourth Amendment?

By Judith Rock Walton High School

Introduction

James is in his senior year of High School. He has been quarterback of his team for three years. During this time he has lead his team to victory. This year he is watching the game from the stands. James refuses to participate in any team sports program offered by his high school because he refuses to submit to drug testing. He considers this a violation of the search and seizure clause of the Fourth Amendment.

This could happen to you!

Task

This is a web quest that will discuss the Supreme Court Case of Vernonia School District vs. James Acton. You will be asked to complete a worksheet with questions that are similar to those asked on the New York State Regents and the New York State RCT. You will get your information from this web quest and the resources in the form of websites that have been provided for you. Your studies will include the text of the Fourth Amendment.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html#amendmentiv

An official investigation led to the discovery that high school athletes in the Vernonia School District participated in illicit drug use. School officials were concerned that drug use increases the risk of sports-related injury. Consequently, the Vernonia school District of Oregon adopted the Student Athlete Drug Policy which authorized random drug testing of student athletes.

In the fall of 1991 James Acton a seventh grader, signed up to play football at one of the District’s grade schools. He was denied participation, however, because he and his parent refused to sign the drug testing consent form. The Acton family filed a law suit declaring that their rights, as set fourth in the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment, were being violated.

Process

1. Read the web quest again.

2. Read the work sheet.

3. Explore the resources provided researching the case and the 4^th and 14^th Amendment

4. Outline the problem in your own words.

5. Outline the Supreme Court Decision in your own words.

6. Complete the work sheet provided.

Resources

Google.com

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips Ask a Legal Eagle

http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/626/abstract

http://swupct.law.cornell.edu/supt/html/94-590.ZO.html

Evaluation

5 Points…..

1. Shows a thorough understanding of the topic

2. Addresses all aspects of the tasks

3. Shows ability to evaluate and analyze issues

4. Supports topic with relevant facts

4 Points…..

1. Presents a good understanding of the topic

2. Addresses all aspects of the task

3. Shows some ability to evaluate and analyze issues

4. Supports topic with some relevant facts.

3 Points…..

1. Presents a satisfactory understanding of the topic

2. Addresses most aspects of the tasks

3. Able to analyze issues, but not in depth

4. Uses some relevant facts but not well organized

2 Points…..

1. Attempts to address topic, but uses vague and/or inaccurate language

2. Uses few facts, examples or details.

3. Does not present an acceptable article

Conclusion

By completing this web quest on Vernonia School District v. Acton you have sharpened your computer skills and discovered that the computer is a wonderful machine that allows you to retrieve a wealth of information. However, you have also learned that you must sort your findings.

You will have prepared yourself with information that you will be able to use to answer questions on the New York State Exams on American History.

Standards

Social Studies

Standard 1: History of the United States and New York

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate

their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments,

and turning points in the history of the United States and New

York.

Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate

their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments;

the governmental system of the United States and other nations;

the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American

constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and

responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

ELA STANDARD 2

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.

Students will read and listen to oral, written and electronically produced texts and performances, relate texts and performances to their own lives, and develop an understanding of the diverse social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language for self-expression and artistic creation.

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UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CASES AND THEIR ISSUES

WORK SHEET VERNONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT v. ACTON

Name________________________ Date_______________

State the issue in your own words.

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

State the decision of the Supreme Court in this case.

State one effect this decision had on the American Society.

In your own words, would you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court Decision?

Each question is worth 5 points. A total of 20 points will be scaled into 100.

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