The Full Collection of Justice in Schools Case Studies

Remaking the Grade: District's Quest for Equitable Homework Policy

Snapshot: In this case study, Arlington, VA, faced criticism from teachers and parents when the district announced a plan to make homework more equitable by eliminating deadlines and other requirements. How can schools address inequalities in the...

High School at the Coal-Face

Snapshot: In this case from Australia, a high school principal in a regional town is seeking community input on a sponsorship arrangement with the local coal mining company—how should he lead his school through the sponsorship evaluation process while...

A Parallel Universe: Conspiracy Theories and the Limits of Education

Snapshot: Conspiracy theories play an increasingly important and often highly problematic role in political debates in liberal democracies. As a student at a German high school becomes deeply immersed in the world of conspiracy theories in the wake of the...

Photo Bomb: Responding to Online Transgressions

Snapshot: A pair of seventh graders in Madrid take a topless photo of a female classmate using WhatsApp and forward it to the rest of the class. This case asks teachers and families to think about dilemmas that arise when underage students at home misuse...

Caught in the Web: Educational Risks and Rewards of Online Learning

Snapshot: Online learning can offer many educational benefits for both students and teachers, but how much online learning is too much? Should this principal apply for a funding program that would put half the curriculum online, or has the pandemic taught...

Sophomoric Skipping: Determining Fair Consequences

Snapshot: Should a student who skipped school be allowed to make up missing work? This case explores dilemmas that arise when academic consequences are linked to behavioral infractions. How can schools discourage dangerous behavior without endangering...

Feeling Exposed in Online Class: Safety in the Virtual Civics Classroom

Snapshot: This case from the Netherlands explores the challenges of organizing a safe space for discussion in the online civics classroom. Should teachers refrain from inviting students to share their opinions, feelings and concerns online because they...

Faith in Mr. D: Accommodating Religion in Schools

Snapshot: In this case study, a middle school principal in Canada faces a firestorm when he allows students in his majority-Muslim school to conduct Friday prayers in the school cafeteria. In the public school system of a multicultural democracy, where is...

Beyond Varsity Blues: Merit, Wealth, and College Admissions in an Era of Hyper-Inequality

Snapshot: This case examines the influence of family wealth on college admissions in the wake of the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal. While bribery is plainly unethical, the moral status of other instances where families spend money to help their...

Taking the Action Out of Civics?: Polarized Debates over Civic Education

Snapshot: Civic education is increasingly a hot-button topic in a polarized nation. After introducing a project-based civics curriculum in which students take action to create change, a school leader faces pushback from teachers, as well as disagreement...

Seeing Green

Snapshot: This case explores the challenges of teaching about climate change in a community where a large portion of the residents work in the petroleum industry. Should science teachers accommodate local concerns about the dangers of demonizing the very...

School Choice

Snapshot: This case explores the dilemma many well-resourced parents face in choosing a school for their child. Should they opt for their local public school, investing their economic, cultural, and political capital into the public school system open to...