Law, Business and Society 11th Edition by Tony McAdams

Exercise 59

Paul Palmer submitted three shirts to his Waxahachie, Texas, school for approval under the school's dress code. Two of the shirts said "John Edwards for President" and one said "Freedom of Speech" on the front and had the text of the First Amendment on the back. The shirts were rejected as violations of the school's dress code that did not allow shirts with printed messages except for those related to the school and those smaller than two inches by two inches. Political messages were permitted on pins, buttons, bumper stickers, and the like. The dress code was designed to curb gang problems, reduce distractions, encourage professional dress, and maintain a safer, more orderly learning environment. Palmer sued the school claiming a violation of his First Amendment freedom of speech rights. Decide that case. Explain. See Palmer v. Waxahachie Independent School District, 579 F.3d 502 (5th Cir. 2009); cert. den. Palmer v. Waxahachie Independent School District, 130 S.Ct. 1055 (2010).