The substantial disruption test is a criterion set forth by the United States Supreme Court, in the leading case of Tinker v. ... The test is used to determine whether an act by a U.S. public school official (State actor) has abridged a student's constitutionally protected First Amendment rights of free speech.

What does the Tinker test apply to?

The Tinker test, also known as the "substantial disruption" test, is still used by courts today to determine whether a school's interest to prevent disruption infringes upon students' First Amendment rights.

What is the Tinker rule?

Tinker v. Des Moines is a historic Supreme Court ruling from 1969 that cemented students' rights to free speech in public schools. ... The students were told they could not return to school until they agreed to remove their armbands.