Students' Rights

Constitutional violations are far too common in public schools across the country. Articles about controversial subjects written for student newspapers are censored. Lockers and backpacks are searched without reasonable suspicion. Minority students are disproportionately suspended or expelled, and shunted to lower track programs. Majoritarian religious practices are officially sanctioned by teachers and school administrators. Female students are excluded from certain extracurricular activities, and gay students are intimidated into silence.

Teachers and administrators have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for the students that is conducive to learning. They also have a responsibility to respect each student’s individual rights. These two missions are not incompatible. Simply put, students have rights too.

Visit RightsMatter.org for a comprehensive listing of student rights cases, important supreme court cases, biographies, definitions, activities and more!

10.17.06 Teacher sues High School headmaster after being barred from school in First Amendment rights violation >Press Release >Complaint 04.27.06 ACLU of Massachusetts Says Lexington Parents' Lawsuit Challenging School Curriculum is Frivolous 08.31.05 ACLU of Massachusetts Cautions Schools on Military Recruiting in High Schools