Student Freedom of Expression : A Limited First Amendment Right. Research Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 3 / Whitney R. Mundt.

The Supreme Court has ruled in several cases that schools must formulate rules and regulations that do not infringe on a student's right to free and unrestricted expression as guaranteed to them under the First Amendment. In two separate cases, the Court decided that students may wear buttons or armbands that express a particular position on an issue, and in a third case, that students may refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance for religious reasons. Other court decisions, however, place the following limitations on students' freedom of expression: the state action rather than the private action must be the subject of the complaint; substantial disorder is not permitted in exercising First Amendment rights; school officials can restrict expression if the activity involved is an instructional exercise; and the age of a student is a factor in determining what constitutes appropriate expression. Other cases, presently pending in the courts, will further clarify the definition of student rights. (MAI)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.