Using iCivics resources, scholars learn about the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
Question of the Day 🤔: As you enter the classroom, please consider and prepare to discuss:
Define the term ideal (noun).
Question of the Day 🤔: Part 2: Please consider and prepare to discuss:
What are our country’s ideals?
Poll: Is everyone treated equally in the U.S.?
List any groups you can think of that have not been treated equally today, or in the past?
What amendment contains the Equal Protection Clause?
Applying Equal Protection.
Directions: Read the scenarios and decide if the Equal Protection Clause could be applied to the situation. Drag "Apply" or "Does not apply", then match the reason why the clause does or does not apply to the scenario.
Scenario | Decide if the Equal Protection Clause could be applied to the situation. | Match the reason why the clause does or does not apply. |
|---|---|---|
Scenario A: The owner of a nation-wide fast food restaurant refuses to hire women as managers. | ||
Scenario B: A state passes a law that bans short students from competing in school sports. | ||
Scenario C: A state passes a law that bans white people from marrying a person of color. | ||
Scenario D: A boating organization denies membership to people who don’t earn a certain amount of money. | ||
Scenario E: Local courts charge senior citizens three times more than others for their traffic violations. (think of how the law is enforced)
|
The 14th Amendment only applies to governments, not private businesses. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 would protect women from this type of discrimination.
Applies
The law treats a certain group differently than other people in the same situation.
The 14th Amendment only applies to governments, not private organizations.
Does Not Apply
The law is being enforced differently for a certain group of people.
The law denies people a basic right based solely on race. This treats a certain group differently than others.
Matching the Change. Review the court cases listed in the reading section, Equality’s Reach. Match each group with the area where they gained equality.
Military Academies | Trial Juries | Public Schools | Marriage/ Families | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
African Americans (Pick 3) | ||||
LGBTQ+ People (Pick 1) | ||||
Disabled Students (Pick 1) | ||||
Women (Pick 1) | ||||
All Races (Pick 3) | ||||
Interracial Couples (Pick 1) |
States can make different rules
States must explain why
Courts decide if the reason is strong enough
What are some examples or laws that currently exist that support the statement above?
Applying Equal Protection - Part 2
Directions: Read the scenarios and decide if the situation would be "Allowed" or "Not Allowed" under the Equal Protection Clause. Drag "Allowed" or "Not Allowed", then match the reason why to the scenario. (You will repeat answers)
Scenario | Allowed or Not Allowed | Match the reason why the clause does or does not apply. |
|---|---|---|
Scenario F: A state requires drivers to be 16 years old. | ||
Scenario G: A state allows only one race to vote. | ||
Scenario H: A state provides wheelchair ramps at public schools.
| ||
Scenario I: A state bans a group just because it “doesn’t like them.” |
Not Allowed
Allowed
This state law's goal is equal access.
This is type of law is not allowed. It violates the 14th amendment and there is no constitutional justification.
This state law is allowed. The state argues safety.
Using your matching activity (#11) and Equality's Reach Section,
Choose one group and the area where people gained equality (such as Women and Military Academies). Evaluate the impact of this change on American society and explain why it remains important today.
Your response should be at least 1 paragraph.
Example sentence starters you can use:
One pivotal moment in the pursuit of American equality was when [Group] gained the right to [Area]..."
"A significant milestone for equal protection occurred when [Group] was finally granted..."
"The transition toward equality for [Group] in the area of [Area] represented a major shift in..."
Example Conclusion sentences:
To evaluate impact: "One major consequence of this change was [Insert Change], which resulted in a more inclusive society because..."
To explain modern importance: "Even decades later, this change remains a cornerstone of American equality because it prevents..."
To connect to the 14th Amendment: "By applying the Equal Protection Clause to [Insert Group], the United States moved closer to its ideal of..."
What does the Equal Protection Clause monitor?
What were black codes?
What landmark case challenged segregation laws, but created the concept of "separate but equal"?
Which group gained rights from the Equal Protection Clause?
