Home : Student Rights

ACLU of Massachusetts Speaks Out on "High Stakes"Testing in Public Schools (04/11/2000)
BOSTON, MA -- Beginning tomorrow, all Massachusetts public school students in the 4th, 8th and 10th grades will be required to take a lengthy series of examinations known as MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). Next year's 10th grade students will be required to "pass" the English and math portions of MCAS in order to receive a high school diploma in 2003.

Settlement Ends Attempt To Punish Student for Web Site in Washington State (04/07/2000)
KENT, WA -- A settlement between student Nick Emmett and Kent School District has ended the district's attempt to punish the student because of a Web site created on his home computer. Under terms of the settlement negotiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State, the suburban Seattle district will not pursue disciplinary action against Emmett over the Web site and will pay his attorney fees.

ACLU Sues Michigan Community Schools over Drug Testing Policy (03/28/2000)
GRAND BLANC, MI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today filed suit on behalf a high school student challenging a school policy requiring drug tests of student athletes.

ACLU and 18 Texas Families Sue to Stop 'Prove Your Religion' School Uniform Policy (03/16/2000)
FORNEY, TX -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas today sued a school district here on behalf of 18 families saying that students should not be forced to submit proof of faith to be exempted from the mandatory school uniform policy.

ACLU Hails Victory in Defense of 11-Year-Old in Trouble for "Home Alone" Inspired Drawings (03/13/2000)
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- An 11-year-old who triggered the overreaction of local school and police officials with his "Home Alone" inspired drawings of booby-traps has finally been freed from court proceedings against his family, the ACLU of Arkansas announced today.

In Legal Challenge, ACLU of Michigan Says New Law Hampers College Students' Voting Rights (02/24/2000)
LANSING, MI -- In an effort to preserve their voting rights, representatives from six university student assemblies today filed a lawsuit challenging a local requirement that a person's driver's license address and voter registration address be the same.

Court Blocks WA School from Suspending Student Over Humorous Web Site (02/23/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- In the latest case involving student free speech in cyberspace, a federal judge in Seattle today blocked school administrators from suspending a student because of a web site he had created on his home computer. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington represented the student in contesting the suspension.

WA School Board Decides Not to Punish Student Web Site Hosts (02/03/2000)
SEATTLE, WA -- A suburban school board has decided not to impose restitution or community service on three Eastlake High School students who created a website on which someone else posted a death threat last fall, the American Civil Liberties said today.

ACLU Defends Student Website in Case that Threatens Free Expression on the Internet (01/31/2000)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- In a case with important implications for free speech on the Internet, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California has asked a Superior Court to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at shutting down a website that provides student reviews of the teachers at San Francisco City College.

Kansas Court to Hear ACLU Case Of Honor Student Expelled for Displaying Artwork (01/28/2000)
WICHITA, KS -- At a hearing this morning in Wichita, the American Civil Liberties Union will ask a federal judge to overturn the expulsion of a high school senior for displaying artwork deemed "threatening." ool board has said that before it will allow the honor student to return to school, she must submit to a mental heath examination and agree to be put on probation for the remainder of the school year.

ACLU Vows Legal Action Over Honor Student's Expulsion for Displaying Artwork (01/20/2000)
LEON, KANSAS -- As school officials convened this morning to hear an appeal of a high school senior expelled for displaying artwork deemed "threatening," the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri vowed to bring a court challenge if the punishment is not rescinded.

ACLU Opposes Internet Censorship in NY Schools (01/13/2000)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today criticized the New York City Board of Education for its failure to remove Internet filters that limit city high school students to a level of Internet access fit for kindergardeners.

Student Prevails in NC School Uniform Dispute (01/11/2000)
In a settlement with officials at McIver Elementary School in Halifax, Aaron Ganues, who was twice suspended for failure to wear the school uniform, will be allowed a religious exemption from wearing the uniform for the remainder of his public school education. 

School Officials Sued For Warehousing Second, Third Graders in Auditorium (01/11/2000)
According to a class action lawsuit filed today on behalf of children attending Rosemont Avenue Elementary School here, school administrators quartered five separate classes of approximately 100 second- and third-grade students simultaneously in the school auditorium without sound barriers, floor-to-ceiling visual barriers or adequate space for learning and safety.