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Student Rights
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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 shunted in 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.
Use the resources on this page to learn more and take action to protect the rights guaranteed to all Americans by the Bill of Rights. |
Unlawful Suspension of 8th Grader Draws ACLU of Florida Lawsuit Against Sumter County Schools (4/7/2009)
TAMPA, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and its Greater Tampa Chapter filed a federal lawsuit yesterday on behalf of 8th grader Jessica Sorensen, who was suspended from school for refusing to allow her backpack to be searched when school officials had no basis to suspect that she had anything illegal or dangerous in her backpack.
Students to Rally Statehouse in Support of Privacy (4/3/2009)
High School students and educators from across the state will be gathering in Augusta at 9:00am on Monday, April 6th to demand protection for their privacy. The group, which includes students, teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents, will be addressing the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in support of LD 725 – An Act to Protect Student Privacy while Complying with Federal Law.
Art Show to Go On as Scheduled at William & Mary (3/24/2009)
Williamsburg, VA – Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and the College of William and Mary have come to an agreement that will allow the controversial Sex Workers Art Show to go on as scheduled tonight. The show was nearly cancelled last year when college officials first delayed approval of the show and then imposed unusual restrictions on it.
ACLU Demands Roane County Abandon Illegal Random Drug Testing of Students (9/10/2008)
KINGSTON, TN – The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) today sent a letter to the Roane County school district demanding a stop to the random drug testing of student athletes which is in clear violation of state law. In addition to being illegal, random drug testing of students is proven to be ineffective in deterring drug use and is opposed by leading experts in adolescent health, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Education Association, the Association of Addiction Professionals and the National Association of Social Workers.
Federal Judge Rules that the state of Hawaii Department of Education Must Fulfill Its Obligation to Homeless Children (2/14/2008)
HONOLULU – U.S. District Court Chief Judge Helen Gillmor has ordered the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to change its enrollment procedures to ensure equal access for homeless children. After hearing from civil rights groups and attorneys representing three homeless parents and their five children on 2/11/08, Judge Gillmor granted their motion for preliminary injunction in part and their motion to proceed as a class action.
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