The Maine Department of Education has certain requirements students must complete before they can earn a diploma. Four years of English, two years of social sciences, math, and science and one year of fine arts. What is not included is a class dedicated to basic life skills, such as teaching one how to file taxes or change a tire. This type of class is in fact so rare that when a Kentucky high school added it to their curriculum, national news picked up on it. Recently, Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky started offering an “Adulting” program to its…
Author: Sophie Cohen
Sophie Cohen
Sophie Cohen, of Falmouth, is a policy intern with the Maine Policy Institute. She is a graduate of The University of Maine where she holds a degree in Political Science. In the fall, Sophie will be attending Maine Law with the hopes of becoming a criminal and family law attorney.
On June 21, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in the case of NCAA v. Alston that will fundamentally change the world of sports. In a 9-0 vote, the Court ruled that benefits given to students by universities and conferences cannot be capped as long as they are tethered to education. Many are calling the decision a “significant blow” to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but it is undoubtedly a win for collegiate athletes. The NCAA has been regulating college athletes as early as 1840. Towards the late 19th century, Harvard’s President was very concerned…
In an 8-1 vote, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of cheerleader Brandi Levy last week regarding the First Amendment rights of students when it comes to off-campus speech. In 2017, Levy, a ninth grade student at the time, did not make her varsity cheering squad. As a result, she posted on Snapchat a post that contained vulgar language and gestures. The school suspended her from participating on the junior varsity team for a whole year. Levy took the case to district court where she prevailed. The Third Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision. The case then made it to…
On April 28, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., a case that could fundamentally change the meaning of a minor’s First Amendment rights. With a decision soon to be rendered, this case is one set to alter free speech among both school districts and students. Brandi Levy, a 14-year-old high school freshman and junior varsity cheerleader in 2017, did not make her school’s varsity cheering team. Posting a picture with her friend with her middle fingers raised, she captioned it: “F—school, f—softball, f—cheer, f—everything,” which resulted…