In Tinker v. Des Moines, what did the Supreme Court rule regarding student expression?

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, the Supreme Court ruled that students do not lose their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech at school. This landmark decision emphasized that students are allowed to express their political views, provided that their expression does not lead to a substantial disruption of the educational process. The case involved students who wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, which was considered a symbolic form of speech. The Court recognized the importance of protecting students' rights to express their opinions in a manner that does not interfere with the functioning of the school.

The ruling underscored a balance between student expression and the authority of educational institutions, establishing that while schools have a responsibility to maintain an environment conducive to learning, they cannot unduly suppress student speech that is not disruptive. This context is why the statement regarding students being able to express political views unless it disrupts school aligns with the essence of the ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines.