The U.S. Supreme Court has said that students “ do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression at the schoolhouse gate.” ... For example, school officials may prohibit speech that substantially disrupts the school environment or that invades the rights of others.
What kind of speech is not protected in schools?
Even though freedom of expression covers a lot of territory, the First Amendment doesn’t protect certain kinds of speech, including: true threats of violence or speech that’s likely to provoke violence (often called “fighting words”) obscenity and child pornography.
Do students have the right to freedom of expression in school?
You have the right to speak out, hand out flyers and petitions, and wear expressive clothing in school — as long as you don’t disrupt the functioning of the school or violate school policies that don’t hinge on the message expressed.
Can public colleges restrict free speech?
The First Amendment to the Constitution protects speech no matter how offensive its content. Restrictions on speech by public colleges and universities amount to government censorship, in violation of the Constitution.
Is it illegal to restrict freedom of speech?
Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial ...
How important is freedom to you as a student?
That helps students learn from their mistakes and allows them to show growth in their maturity and responsibility . With a balance of freedoms and responsibilities, you have the opportunity to develop respect between yourself and your students.
Can a school take your phone and not give it back?
Can my school take my phone? ... If you violated school policy governing cell phone usage during school hours, then your school can probably temporarily confiscate your phone. However, the school is generally not allowed to access the personal information on your phone even if they lawfully confiscate it.
What is the limit to freedom of speech?
Freedom of speech and expression, therefore, may not be recognized as being absolute, and common limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech relate to libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, sedition, incitement, fighting words, classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets, food labeling, non- ...
Why is free speech so important to higher education?
Free speech on a college campus means that any opinion can be voiced and evaluated on its own merits. The most important function of free speech is to protect the voices of those with unpopular opinions , or those with opinions disliked by people with power.
When can the government restrict your freedom of speech?
As the Supreme Court held in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), the government may forbid “incitement”— speech “directed at inciting or producing imminent lawless action ” and “likely to incite or produce such action” (such as a speech to a mob urging it to attack a nearby building).
Does freedom of speech mean you can say anything?
Freedom of speech is the right to say whatever you like about whatever you like, whenever you like, right? Wrong. ‘Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds , by any means.
Why does freedom of speech have limits?
The Supreme Court has held that restrictions on speech because of its content—that is, when the government targets the speaker’s message— generally violate the First Amendment .
What is freedom to a student?
The freedom for students to learn, explore, and challenge ideas while building and sharing your own opinions is the foundation of what is called academic freedom. The freedom to learn. This freedom protects students from unfair treatment by instructors based on the student’s opinions and beliefs.
What is freedom according to a student?
The freedom for students to learn, explore, and challenge ideas while building and sharing your own opinions is the foundation of what is called academic freedom. The freedom to learn. This freedom protects students from unfair treatment by instructors based on the student’s opinions and beliefs.
What freedoms did the students give up by going to school?
The court declared that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The First Amendment ensures that students cannot be punished for exercising free speech rights, even if school administrators don’t approve of what they are saying.
