English Language Learners (ELL) Practice Exam

The case that ruled school districts could not charge tuition based on immigration status is Plyler v. Doe. This landmark Supreme Court case, decided in 1982, involved the state of Texas's attempt to impose a tuition fee on children who were not legally admitted into the United States. The Supreme Court held that this practice violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, asserting that undocumented children have the right to attend public schools without discrimination.

This ruling was pivotal because it highlighted the importance of access to education as a fundamental right for all children, regardless of their immigration status. The Court recognized the negative long-term implications that denying education could have on these children and society as a whole, emphasizing that public education serves a vital role in promoting equal opportunity.

The other cases mentioned address different legal issues. Brown v. Board of Education is focused on ending racial segregation in public schools, Roe v. Wade relates to women's rights regarding abortion, and Miranda v. Arizona deals with the rights of individuals in police custody. While these are all significant Supreme Court cases, they do not pertain to the specific issue of tuition and immigration status that Plyler v. Doe addressed.