SCHOOL LAW WGU D017 TEST PAPER 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔A group of high school students created an after-school club for LGBTQ youth. As
part of their work, the club created a pamphlet on sexually transmitted diseases and
promoted the use of contraception. The club submitted the pamphlet to the principal for
approval to distribute to the student body.
On what grounds would the principal be justified in denying their request? - ✔✔The
pamphlet would cause reasonable disruption to the orderly operations of the school.
✔✔In which situation is prayer allowed in public schools? - ✔✔Private prayer initiated by
students that does not use school resources.
If the prayer is initiated by students and does not use school resources, it is not an act
of the government and would be permissible.
✔✔With the passage of ESSA, which accountability measure under NCLB were states
no longer responsible for meeting? - ✔✔Adequate yearly progress
✔✔Which aspect of education is typically within the control of local school boards? -
✔✔Curriculum offered within the district.
The curriculum offered within a specific district is typically within the control of the local
school board.
✔✔Which criterion for educational programs targeting ELs was NOT established by
Castañeda v. Pickard? - ✔✔Programs must occur in classrooms outside the general
education setting.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit set up three criteria to use to
evaluate bilingual education programs: the programs must be based on sound
educational theory; the programs must be implemented effectively with resources for
personnel, materials, and physical space; and the programs must be proven effective in
overcoming language barriers after a trial period.
✔✔Criteria of the Lemon test (1st Amendment) - ✔✔It must not result in excessive
government entanglement.
It must have a secular purpose.
Its primary effect must not advance or inhibit religion.
✔✔During a school talent show, a student performed a rap song that negatively
targeted and criticized several students and teachers at the school. The performance
was the basis for a fight at lunch.
, Under which basis is disciplinary action by school administration warranted because the
student overreached his First Amendment rights? - ✔✔Material and substantive
disruption
Defamatory expression can constitute material and substantive disruption.
✔✔Many school boards have adjusted their policies on student dress and hairstyles.
What is the major influence on these decisions? - ✔✔Such displays do not cause
substantive disruption to the orderly operations of the school.
To regulate hairstyle or dress, there must be a valid educational rationale. Such
displays can still be a substantial disruption. However, what is deemed acceptable at
this time may be altered.
✔✔A principal receives a call from a parent stating that her child informed her of a
student who has been selling drugs at school.
Which legal right gives school personnel the authority to search the student's locker and
personal belongings? - ✔✔Reasonable suspicion
School personnel can search a student's locker and personal belongings based on
reasonable suspicion.
✔✔The Dean of students at a local high school received an anonymous email accusing
the senior class President of selling drugs from his locker. The email included the class
President's locker combination and a price list for the drugs, along with names of
students who allegedly purchased the drugs.
What is the appropriate administrative action based on this email? - ✔✔Quietly
interview the students listed to determine the reasonableness of a search.
Since the email was anonymous, more information is needed to determine
reasonableness.
✔✔An assistant principal noticed two seventh-grade girls wearing controversial rock
band T-shirts as they boarded the school bus for a field trip. The assistant principal
removed the students and told them they could not go on the trip. The students were
given in-school suspensions as an alternative.
Which right did the assistant principal violate? - ✔✔Freedom of speech
This is a violation of the students' rights to freedom of speech. The rock band T-shirt
does not demonstrate significant and substantial disruption to learning.
✔✔An administrator suspends a student for five days pending a scheduled hearing to
extend the suspension. During the five-day suspension, the administrator calls a
meeting with the student and parent to explain the circumstances leading to the
suspension and the need for a hearing.
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔A group of high school students created an after-school club for LGBTQ youth. As
part of their work, the club created a pamphlet on sexually transmitted diseases and
promoted the use of contraception. The club submitted the pamphlet to the principal for
approval to distribute to the student body.
On what grounds would the principal be justified in denying their request? - ✔✔The
pamphlet would cause reasonable disruption to the orderly operations of the school.
✔✔In which situation is prayer allowed in public schools? - ✔✔Private prayer initiated by
students that does not use school resources.
If the prayer is initiated by students and does not use school resources, it is not an act
of the government and would be permissible.
✔✔With the passage of ESSA, which accountability measure under NCLB were states
no longer responsible for meeting? - ✔✔Adequate yearly progress
✔✔Which aspect of education is typically within the control of local school boards? -
✔✔Curriculum offered within the district.
The curriculum offered within a specific district is typically within the control of the local
school board.
✔✔Which criterion for educational programs targeting ELs was NOT established by
Castañeda v. Pickard? - ✔✔Programs must occur in classrooms outside the general
education setting.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit set up three criteria to use to
evaluate bilingual education programs: the programs must be based on sound
educational theory; the programs must be implemented effectively with resources for
personnel, materials, and physical space; and the programs must be proven effective in
overcoming language barriers after a trial period.
✔✔Criteria of the Lemon test (1st Amendment) - ✔✔It must not result in excessive
government entanglement.
It must have a secular purpose.
Its primary effect must not advance or inhibit religion.
✔✔During a school talent show, a student performed a rap song that negatively
targeted and criticized several students and teachers at the school. The performance
was the basis for a fight at lunch.
, Under which basis is disciplinary action by school administration warranted because the
student overreached his First Amendment rights? - ✔✔Material and substantive
disruption
Defamatory expression can constitute material and substantive disruption.
✔✔Many school boards have adjusted their policies on student dress and hairstyles.
What is the major influence on these decisions? - ✔✔Such displays do not cause
substantive disruption to the orderly operations of the school.
To regulate hairstyle or dress, there must be a valid educational rationale. Such
displays can still be a substantial disruption. However, what is deemed acceptable at
this time may be altered.
✔✔A principal receives a call from a parent stating that her child informed her of a
student who has been selling drugs at school.
Which legal right gives school personnel the authority to search the student's locker and
personal belongings? - ✔✔Reasonable suspicion
School personnel can search a student's locker and personal belongings based on
reasonable suspicion.
✔✔The Dean of students at a local high school received an anonymous email accusing
the senior class President of selling drugs from his locker. The email included the class
President's locker combination and a price list for the drugs, along with names of
students who allegedly purchased the drugs.
What is the appropriate administrative action based on this email? - ✔✔Quietly
interview the students listed to determine the reasonableness of a search.
Since the email was anonymous, more information is needed to determine
reasonableness.
✔✔An assistant principal noticed two seventh-grade girls wearing controversial rock
band T-shirts as they boarded the school bus for a field trip. The assistant principal
removed the students and told them they could not go on the trip. The students were
given in-school suspensions as an alternative.
Which right did the assistant principal violate? - ✔✔Freedom of speech
This is a violation of the students' rights to freedom of speech. The rock band T-shirt
does not demonstrate significant and substantial disruption to learning.
✔✔An administrator suspends a student for five days pending a scheduled hearing to
extend the suspension. During the five-day suspension, the administrator calls a
meeting with the student and parent to explain the circumstances leading to the
suspension and the need for a hearing.
