First Amendment
Learn more about how the freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly play out in schools
Federal
Judge Tells Ed. Dept. to Remove Language Blaming Democrats From Staff Emails
The agency added language blaming "Democrat Senators" for the federal shutdown to staffers' out-of-office messages
Law & Courts
Court Rejects Discipline of Student Whose Post Mocked George Floyd's Death
An appeals court ruled that a student's off-campus social media post is constitutionally protected.
Law & Courts
Appeals Court Backs School Administrators Who Banned 'Let's Go Brandon!' Shirts
A coded message of political criticism was vulgar and can be barred in schools.
Teaching Profession
Free-Speech Lines Blur for Teachers in Wake of Charlie Kirk's Killing
Fallout from teacher reactions to the activist's death led some state officials to threaten to revoke educators' licenses.
School & District Management
Opinion
Educators Are Being Fired for Posting About Charlie Kirk. Is That a Problem?
Many schools lack a shared understanding of how free speech and professional ethics intersect on social media.
Teaching Profession
Teachers Across the U.S. Get Suspended or Fired Over Posts Linked to Charlie Kirk
Teachers face discipline for social media posts following the conservative speaker's assassination.
Law & Courts
School's Confederate Name Violates Students' Free Speech, Judge Says
The district was the first to reverse course and bring back Confederate names for its schools. The litigation is ongoing.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
A New Law Claims to Curb Teacher Sexual Misconduct. What Does It Really Do?
In one state, teachers now face strict limits on how they can communicate with students outside the classroom.
Law & Courts
Judge Blocks Texas Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Schools
A federal district judge ruled that the Texas law requiring Ten Commandments displays is schools likely violates the First Amendment.
Teaching Profession
Some Teachers Could Lose Out on Loan Forgiveness Under Trump Admin. Proposal
Districts and other employers face proposed restrictions on student loan forgiveness for employees.
Law & Courts
Appeals Court Backs School in Anti-Abortion Club's Flyer Dispute
A federal appeals court upheld an Indiana school district's limitation on a Students for Life club's political messages on school walls.
Law & Courts
Appeals Court Sides With School in ‘Come and Take It’ Gun Hat Dispute
A full federal appeals court declined to reconsider a panel's decision backing administrators who required a student to remove her gun hat.
Law & Courts
Appeals Court Backs Arkansas Law Targeting Critical Race Theory
A federal appeals court allowed Arkansas to enforce its law barring teachers from "indoctrination" of students in Critical Race Theory.
Law & Courts
Appeals Court Backs Fla. Law Barring Transgender Teacher's Use of Her Pronouns
A federal court upheld Florida’s ban on K-12 teachers using pronouns that differ from their sex assigned at birth when speaking to students.