A recent article in Teacher Magazine online raises the issue of whether students should be held accountable by schools for what they post in their own personal blogs outside of school. The article, Student Free Speech Still an Issue, describes a teenager who sued her high school principal and superintendent claiming that her constitutional rights were violated when she was removed from her position as class secretary because of a derogatory comment made about school administrators in her personal blog.
The teenager’s mother felt that she, rather than the school, should “determine whether or not there had been a consequence.”
The school principal stated that school leadership positions are a privilege, not a right.
The teen feels strongly that her rights have been violated.
“This is something that I felt was really necessary to stand up for, because you really have to stand up (for) the little things about democracy, the little things that make democracy really work in the big world,” she said.
Who is right in this controversial issue which certainly will become more commonplace as the popularity of blogs continues to grow, both inside and outside of the educational setting? Can schools invoke consequences against a student for actions that are taken outside of school? How can we promote and ensure the appropriate use of blogs that are integrated into the school curriculum? Please click to add your comments to this timely issue…
11 responses so far ↓
1
terri
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:55 am
This is a great opportunity for students. I love your blog.
2
Vera Mack
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:55 am
I absolutely agree with the student; her freedom of speech rights were violated. Unless it is outright slander, she should have the right to state her opinion.
3
kcorke
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:56 am
This is really fun, a little confusing for me though.
4
terri
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:56 am
This is a great opportunity for students and teachers alike
5
Sherry
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:57 am
Controversies over this issue are inevitable as use of blogs grows. As the blog was posted on her personal site, her removal from her position, I feel, was unjustified.
6
Danielle
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:58 am
This is rather shaky ground. I feel that each school district needs to create a dialogue that includes students and parents in order to establish a district-wide policy on this matter.
7
pdunham!
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:59 am
I think this course will be very educational.
8
Leigh
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:06 am
Without having read the article I tend to agree with the student. If her comments were written on a site that was not controlled by the school, then, the current laws regarding libel should apply.
9
terri
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:08 am
I agree with those who feel that removing the student from the position was unjustified. However, if the blog is open to so many readers, the student may want to be more careful as to what she puts on the blog.
10
kcorke
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:09 am
I agree with the student. She has a right to her own personal opinion and she has a right to disagree with the school administration as long as she uses appropriate language and has a logical arguement. She should not have been removed from her position.
11
pdunham!
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:11 am
I think the student needs to be very careful about what she writes and give a specific reason why she dislikes the administrators or something they have done. I think there needs to be certain rules that are agreed upon between students and the school.
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