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Courts in the Classroom Lesson Plans and Materials
Featured Case: Rene v. Reed
*This case was chosen by staff within the judicial branch as a useful tool to teach an interesting aspect of the law. Its selection has no bearing on how the case will ultimately be decided. Since the members of the court did not participate in the preparation of the lesson plan, the issues raised in it will not necessarily be addressed in the oral argument.
General Case Information
Case Caption: Meghan Rene v. Dr. Suellen Reed, et al.
Cause Number: 49A02-0007-CV-00433
Court: Indiana Supreme Court
Date and Time: January 30, 2002, 9:30 AM
Case Summary, Associated Documentation, and Oral Argument
Keywords: Due Process (history of, procedural v. substantive)
Case Summary:

A class of special education students sought injunctive and declaratory relief to prevent the State Superintendent of Public Insturction from enforcing a statute requiring them to pass the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) graduation examination in order to graduate. The Marion Superior Court ruled in favor of the superintendent. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

Rene v. Reed, 751 N.E.2d 736 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). The students petition to transfer jurisdiction to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Attorneys for Rene: Kenneth J. Falk; Jacquelyn Bowie Suess, Indianapolis, IN.
Attorneys for Reed: Steve Carter, Attorney General of Indiana; Frances Barrow; Linda S. Leonard, Deputy Attorney General, Indianapolis, IN.

Case Briefs: Appellant's Petition to Transfer
(697 kb | 14 pages)
Adobe PDF Format

Appellee Brief in Opposition to Petition to Transfer
(381 kb | 9 pages)
Adobe PDF Format
Appellant's Reply to Appellee Brief Opposing Transfer
(208 kb | 5 pages)
Adobe PDF Format
Watch Video: Oral Argument of Rene v. Reed
(214 mb | 63 minutes)
Play Rene v. Reed Oral Argument
The Court's Action
Indiana Supreme Court: Jan. 31, 2002: The Supreme Court has denied a petition to transfer. The opinion of the Court of Appeals stands and the appeal is at an end.
  View the Order Denying Transfer
(114 kb | 1 page)
Adobe PDF Format
Lesson Plans and Supporting Materials
Lesson 1: What is "due process" anyway?
Lesson 2: What is the difference between procedural and substantive due process?
Lesson 3: The changing meaning of "due process" in our courts
Lesson 4: Oral Arguments Online
 
Last modified on Thursday, June, 28, 2007