Public schools cannot override the religious beliefs of their students by forcing them to salute the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Decided June 14, 1943 (argued March 11, 1943). Opinion of the Court: Robert H. Jackson → go there Dissenting: Frankfurter, Roberts, Reed. Applied: the First Amendment → go there Applied: the Fourteenth Amendment → go there Topic: Freedom of religion. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943), is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that the First Amendment protects students from being forced to salute the American flag or say the Pledge of Allegiance in public school. Wiki link