GOVT 215
SOCRATIC METHOD READING CHECKLIST TEMPLATE
Socratic Method
Questions
Student Response
What did the plaintiff ask
for at trial and on what
grounds?
The plaintiffs in this case (Negro minors) sought the court’s help
in order to obtain a nonsegregated admission into their respective
communities’ schools. This was on the grounds of the Fourteenth
Amendment.
What position did the
defendant take?
The defendant took the position that they were “separate but
equal” in regards to buildings, curricula, qualifications, salaries of
teachers, and other relevant factors.
How did the trial judge
decide the case?
The trial judge decided that segregation of children based solely
on race, even with other relevant factors such as the “tangible”
ones still in play, does deprive the minority children of
educational opportunities.
Who took the appeal and
on what grounds?
The appeal was taken by Chief Justice Warren and the United
States Supreme Court, on the grounds of relevancy to many other
cases that were taking place in various areas of the country, so it
could be decided definitvely in a federal court.
The question is whether or not minority children are deprived of
What is the question or
issue in the case?
equal education opportunities when it comes to segregation of
children in public schools.
facts?
defends minorities from segregation since it deprives them of
liberty, as referenced in section one of the amendment.
decision?
The court ultimately decided against the segregation of minority
children in public schools, deciding it was a violation of the
the discussion of educational opportunities on the basis of race.
decided unconstitutional in its discrimination of minority children
in this case.
Do you think that the
decision is reasonable?
Why or why not?
you study the Fourteenth Amendment, you can clearly see that the
Clause of the same amendment. Discrimination and Segregation
based on race in public schools is unconstitutional.
