Student Freedom of Expression and Association in Public Schools

Legal Issues in Education

Week 2

Outline Student Freedom of Speech Hate Speech Codes Student Freedom of Press Student Freedom of Association Student Dress and Grooming Case Briefing Exercise

Student Freedom of Expression Issue: Hateful, provocative and

offensive speech: What can and cannot be banned? Library Censorship: Is there a student right to know?

Class Questions Can schools legally limit student

expression or symbolic speech? Do school officials have to wait until a

disruption has occurred before acting? Can demonstrations be prohibited near

the school grounds? Are fighting words protected by the 1st

Amendment?

Student Freedom of Speech Tinker v. Des Moines, 393 U.S. 503

(1969) Pyle v. South Hadley, 861 F. Supp. 157

(D. Mass. 1994). Activity: Greenhouse Article

Tinker Case Issue: Does freedom of speech apply to

students in the classroom? Rule: The First Amendment applies to public

schools, and thus administrators have to demonstrate constitutionally valid reasons for any specific regulation of speech in the classroom. It is unconstitutional to prohibit students’ freedom of expression, unless there is evidence that a forbidden expression would materially and substantially interfere with the works of the school or the rights of others.

Limitations to Tinker Doctrine Subsequent Court decisions have determined

limitations on the scope of student free speech rights. In Bethel School District v. Fraser, a 1986 case, the Supreme Court held that a high school student's sexual innuendo–laden speech during a student assembly was not constitutionally protected. While the Fraser court distinguished Tinker, the Fraser court carved out an exception for "indecent" speech. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, the court ruled that schools have the right to regulate, for legitimate educational reasons, the content of non-forum, school-sponsored newspapers.

Pyle v. South Hadley Case Issue: Whether, under Mass. Law, public high

school students are free to engage in any expression they choose, even if deemed vulgar by the school, so long as the speech is neither disruptive nor school-sponsored.

Holding: Massachusetts law protects students’ rights to engage in vulgar, non-school sponsored speech so long as it does not cause a disruption at school.

Class Activity Administrative Guide

School officials may restrict freedom of expression where…..

Buttons, pamphlets, and other insignia may be banned if….

Is fear and apprehension of disturbance grounds to restrict freedom of expression?

Class Activity Results School officials may restrict freedom of

expression where there is evidence of material and substantial disruption, indecent or offensive speech, violation of school rules, destruction of school property, or disregard for authority.

Class Activity Results Buttons, pamphlets, and other insignia

may be banned if the message communicated is vulgar or obscene, or mocks others based on race, origin, sex, or religion. School policies that address these issues should be developed and communicated to students and parents.

Class Activity Results Unsubstantiated fear and apprehension

of disturbance are not sufficient grounds to restrict the right to freedom of expression.

Hate Speech Codes General Rule: Hate speech codes are

constitutional so long as they are narrowly tailored to prohibit unprotected speech such as fighting words, threats, intimidation, or speech that cases substantial disruption.

Student Freedom of the Press How free are students to distribute

unpopular or controversial views in school-sponsored and underground publications?

Class Activity: Taylor Article

Student Freedom of Association Issue: Should students be free to

organize demonstrations, religious or gay student organizations, fraternities, or radical political groups in school?

Basic Rules Schools have the authority to restrict student

social organizations that try to create “exclusive” membership.

Schools are permitted to regulate or restrict student organizations by requiring them to follow reasonable regulations to ensure that school facilities are being used responsibly and equitably.

Basic Rules Contd. Student groups failing to comply with school

regulations can be disciplined and barred. Schools may refuse to recognize a student

organization if there is evidence that the group is likely to be disruptive, break reasonable rules, interrupt classes, or substantially interfere with other students’ rights.

Basic Rules Contd. All student groups must be treated

equally when seeking school recognition and cannot be discriminated against because of their viewpoint.

Student Dress and Grooming In general, the courts have found that grooming

requirements are a reasonable way for school authorities to teach hygiene, instill discipline, and compel uniformity. While students are under the control of school authorities, the students may be required to follow certain grooming and dress code rules.

Student Grooming Contd. Some courts have upheld school

policies that require students to wear designated uniforms and not to wear low-necked dresses or immodest styles of dress. Generally, the regulations must promote orderly conduct of the educational process and must not be arbitrarily applied.

Student Grooming Administrative Guide

Local school dress codes should be approved by the school board.

Policy should be communicated and discussed with students and parents.

Dress codes will be supported by the courts only when there is evidence that they are reasonable.

Appearance that does not conform to rudiments of decency may be regulated. Examples?

Dress that mocks others on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin prohibited.

Method for Analyzing Cases Read the opinion carefully Identify the holding Identify the issue Identify the rule Identify the facts Identify the reasons and policies In multiple issue cases analyze each issue

separately