Case Summary: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (High School Level)

Kennedy v. Bremerton was our spring 2022 SCOTUS in the Classroom case.  

Each SCOTUS Term, Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to hold moot courts or mini-moot courts of the case the same weeks that the Supreme Court hears arguments, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments at the Court. 

Case Summary:

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Case Issue: 

Is a public school employee’s prayer in view of students immediately following the conclusion of a football game protected speech and religious exercise, and, if so, must the public school employer prohibit it to avoid violating the Establishment Clause?  

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Joseph Kennedy, assistant coach for Bremerton High School varsity football
• Brief of Respondent: Bremerton School District

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court (to be posted after the decision is announced)

News Articles and Resources:

• Education Week: "Supreme Court to Hear Case of Coach Who Prayed After Games in Defiance of School District" (January 14, 2022)
• New York Times: "Supreme Court to Hear Case of Coach Who Lost His Job Over Postgame Prayers" (January 14, 2022)
• Verdict by Justia: "Supreme Court to Decide Between Establishment and Free Exercise in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District" (January 26, 2022)

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court:

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts
• Mini-Moot Courts Resource Bundle and Video 

Additional details:

• All Street Law Case Summaries include case facts, issues, relevant constitutional provisions/statutes/precedents, arguments for each side, and decision. They have been reviewed by both legal experts and educators and are ready for classroom use.  
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