Which case is notable for addressing free speech rights in schools?

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District is a landmark case that addresses free speech rights, specifically within the context of public schools. The case arose when students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War and were subsequently suspended. The Supreme Court ruled that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." This decision clarified that students have the right to express themselves, provided that their expression does not disrupt the educational process.

The significance of this ruling lies in its affirmation of students’ rights to free speech, setting a precedent that schools cannot suppress student expression simply because they disagree with the message or fear it might cause a disruption without substantial evidence. Tinker established that student expression is protected under the First Amendment, as long as it does not interfere with the functioning of the school.

This context makes Tinker v. Des Moines a crucial case concerning free speech in schools, illustrating how the courts balance individual rights with the government's interest in maintaining order and discipline in educational settings.