The First Amendment in High School Essay - 867 Words

What is the age that a person should be able to claim rights under the first amendment? The first thing would come to most peoples mind is eighteen. However, upon examination, someone could easily justify that a sixteen year old who is in his or her second year of college would have the ability to form an opinion and should be allowed to express it. What makes this student different from another student who, at sixteen, drops out of school and gets a job, or a student who decides to wear a shirt that says PRO-CHOICE on it? While these students differ in many aspects such as education level, their opinion can equally be silenced under the first amendment. One of the most blatant abuses of the first amendment right to free speech is†¦show more content†¦Yet, in 1999, when Serrano High School first banned the wearing of clothes with certain colors because they were feared to be gang-related, the students had no choice but to comply. While the School Board does retain the right to censor some forms of expression because they are inappropriate in language or may cause a disruption to the learning process, the idea that students are not allowed to wear clothes because of their color begins to push the envelope. In 2003 the school board took this a step further and banned any hat with a logo other than the schools logo on it because of the prevalence of hats with inappropriate logos on them that might be gang-related or have a double-meaning. However, this reasoning was never justified with any event or occurrence that would prove these hats were becoming an issue of security for the students. Often times, the only form of expression a High School age student has is the clothing they wear, and the banning of their selection of clothing without giving justification is equivalent to restricting any other form of free speech without justification. The fact that school boards only vaguely justify their reasons for certain dress code restrictions is eno ugh to warrant a reasoned inquiry by the students into why their speech is being suppressed. School boards often do not adequately justify their reasons for denying High School Students their first amendment rights. Usually, theShow MoreRelatedPublic High School Students Have The First Amendment Right Of Free Expression And The Fourth Amendment Protection Against Unreasonable1277 Words   |  6 PagesPublic high school students have the First Amendment right of free expression and the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches while they’re at school. These protections extend a student’s social media and to the digital contents of their cell phones. At the same time, public high schools have special characteristics associated with their duty to educate students and provide a safe and orderly place conducive to learning and so students accept greater restrictions of their constitutionalRead MoreIs Cyber Bullying Ruins Self Esteem?1531 Words   |  7 PagesAn unknown female student at an unknown high school wakes up terrified from a nightmare . The student’s nightmare was being bullied by fellow students. The female student went to school the same day. Her day was rough. All day she walked around with rumors. Whenever students walked passed her in the hallway, they laughed and snickered. The student was cross and puzzled, why were fellow students snickering when she walked down the hallway? The student logged on to her Facebook only to discover theRead MoreThe Argument Of The First Amendment878 Words   |  4 PagesThe purpose of the First Amendment is to â€Å"ensure against government intrusions on personal freedoms such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, free expression, freedom of association, and freedom of assembly (Michigan State University)†. So with the first amendment preventing against government intrusions on religion could a football coach at a public high school lead the players in prayer before a game? Well the answer is no, it is against the law for schools to sponsor or endorse speechRead MoreAnalysis Of Tinker Vs. Des Moines, And Bethel V. Fraser905 Words   |  4 PagesThe first amendment, which is considered the right to freedom of speech, is a misconception to many. Not all citizens, but some, think that because of the first amendment; they can say whatever they want. 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It occurs in libraries, classrooms, and even in student publications. Even though censorship can occur to a certain extent at schools, students’ First Amendment rights are still protected at school. The First Amendment protects freedom of expression, speech, press, religion, and assembly. Students are allowed to express themselves freely at school as long as they do not affect the education and as long as it i s not an activity supported by the school system. Many censorshipRead MoreThe First Amendment And Freedom Of Speech In Schools1571 Words   |  7 PagesThe First Amendment gives the citizens of the United States their most important rights: the right to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, and the freedom of assembly. Over time these rights have worked themselves into the everyday lives of United States citizens. However, there are still places where our First Amendment rights may be compromised. In the school system, finding a balance of respect and freedom of speech and press is as difficult as learning out to tightrope walkRead MoreBrown V Board Of Education1386 Words   |  6 PagesThe Background: In the 1950’s, schools were separated by race. Linda Brown and her sister had to walk down a dangerous railroad switchyard to get to the bus stop to their all-black elementary school. There was an all-white school closer to the Brown’s house, and the Brown family believed that segregated schools vi olated the Constitution. ïÆ'Ëœ The Constitutional Issue: This issue violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth amendment because segregated schools for people of race are unconstitutionalRead MoreThe Supreme Court Case Tinker V. Des Moines1015 Words   |  5 Pagesseven Des Moines high school students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. Ultimately they were suspended in which the student’s fathers sued the school district. The court case battled through the District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. The ultimate ruling was that Des Moines School District violated the students First Amendment rights. Years later, in Oregon in 1990, teachers a McMinnville High School started a lawful strike and in response, the school district hired