Web Exercise on San Antonio Independent School Dist. v. Rodriguez (1972

1. Why is it relevant to decide if ''poor people'' constitute a special class of people? What conclusion does Justice Powell reach?

2. Justice Powell distinguished between an absolute deprivation and a partial deprivation of a benefit. Why is this important to the outcome of the case?

3. What is a ''fundamental right,'' and why is it important in this case?

4. In what ways did the plaintiffs argue that education is related to the First Amendment? Why did they attempt to make this link? What was the basis upon which the majority rejected the plaintiff's argument on this point?

5. Which standard of review did Justice Powell apply, and why did he use it?

6. Why did the Texas system meet that standard?

7. In Rodriguez the Court was forced to choose between the standard and strict scrutiny tests as it had not yet developed the intermediate standard. If the Rodriguez case had been argued in 1983 instead of 1973, after the creation of the intermediate standard, do you think the final result would have been different?Why or why not?