Student Rights
Law & Courts
Right-to-Education Ruling Jolts Education-Advocacy World
The decision by a federal appeals court recognizing the right to a basic minimum education may be felt far beyond the substandard Detroit schools underlying it, but hurdles could remain.
Social Studies
Schools Teach Civics. Do They Model It?
Colorado students who led a peaceful protest at their school learned a hard lesson about civics—and it didn’t come from textbooks.
Law & Courts
What Are Students' Constitutional Rights?
The First Amendment looks different in schools. (So do the 4th, 5th, 8th, and 14th.)
Reading & Literacy
Right-to-Read Advocates Undeterred by Court Setback
A push to get a federal court to recognize a constitutional right to education continues, despite last month's dismissal of a Detroit right-to-read case.
Law & Courts
Courts Take Expansive View in Transgender-Rights Cases
Two recent federal court rulings add to the growing body of decisions finding legal protections for transgender students in federal antidiscrimination law.
Law & Courts
Commentary
No, Schools Can't Punish Student-Athletes for Taking a Knee
Students have a First Amendment right to protest—without getting kicked off their football team, writes attorney Frank D. LoMonte.
Law & Courts
Legislative Measures Seek to Protect Student Press
More than a dozen states have been weighing bills to expand free-speech and free-press protections for student journalists and their teacher-advisers.
Law & Courts
Taking a Stand: How Schools Should Respond to National-Anthem Protests
A First Amendment expert says K-12 officials can't discipline students for acts of protest that don't disrupt school operations.
Law & Courts
Schools Get Clarity on Transgender Student Restroom Access
A federal appeals court ruling that Title IX protects the rights of students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity could have far-reaching implications for schools.
Law & Courts
Scalia's Death Muddies Fate of Education Cases
The unexpected vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court comes with several disputes being closely watched by K-12 educators—including one involving union fees—still pending.
Law & Courts
South Dakota Could Be First State to Restrict School Restrooms Used by Transgender Students
A bill awaiting action from the South Dakota governor would require transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match with their biological sex at birth.
School Climate & Safety
Schools Weigh Access to Students' Social-Media Passwords
State lawmakers and school district officials are again wrestling with questions about schools' authority to access and monitor students' social-media accounts.
Student Well-Being
Commentary
My High School Mascot Is Offensive
Under fire from officials in her Pennsylvania school district, student newspaper editor Gillian McGoldrick defends her stance against publishing the name of an offensive mascot.
School & District Management
Teacher Protections Violate Student Rights, Calif. Judge Finds
The ruling, which the state's teachers' unions have vowed to appeal, finds that California laws governing teacher tenure and dismissal violate the constitutional rights of students.