What was the main principle established by Tinker vs. Des Moines?

The main principle established by Tinker vs. Des Moines is that students retain their civil rights while in school. This landmark Supreme Court case affirmed that students do not lose their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech when they enter school grounds. The ruling emphasized that schools could not infringe on students' rights to express themselves, as long as their actions did not disrupt the educational process.

This principle is significant because it sets a standard for how schools must handle student expression, balancing the need for an orderly environment with the protection of individual rights. The ruling also underscored that students have the right to engage in symbolic speech, such as wearing armbands to protest, as long as it does not interfere with the operation of the school. Thus, the decision reinforces the concept that students are citizens with rights, rather than being entirely subject to school authority.