Can schools discriminate against students because of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation?
No. In 1955, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Brown v. Board of Education , established that racial discrimination in public schools is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. This applies to all school activities including enrollment in classes, extracurricular activities, and clubs. Sexual discrimination is also illegal. Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 as well as Vermont law prohibits sex discrimination in schools. Public schools cannot offer academic classes that are only for one sex. Girls and boys must be provided with all the same educational and extracurricular opportunities, including equal athletic opportunities. However, many courts have allowed separate athletic teams for boys and girls, so long as schools provide both sexes with the opportunity to participate in a particular sport. The First Amendment protects students’ right to free exercise of religion. Students can’t be prevented from attending public school, excluded from any school group, or denied acce
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