Plyer v. Doe established which principle?

• A. It requires schools to enroll only citizens
• B. All students are entitled to public education regardless of immigration status
• C. It allows states to deny enrollment to undocumented students
• D. It requires students to provide proof of citizenship to attend school

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that access to public education is not restricted by a student’s immigration status. Plyler v. Doe held that all children have a right to a free public education, and states cannot deny enrollment or charge undocumented students differently because of their immigration status. The Court said denying education to undocumented children would create a lasting, unfair disadvantage and would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, since education is essential for full participation in society.

So the best choice is the principle that all students are entitled to public education regardless of immigration status. The other options conflict with this ruling: they imply citizenship is required, allow states to exclude undocumented students, or require proof of citizenship to attend school, which Plyler explicitly rejected.