Suffolk NYCLU > Student's Rights

Students Rights

Constitutional violations are far too common in public schools across the country. Articles about controversial subjects written for student newspapers are censored. Lockers and backpacks are searched without reasonable suspicion. Minority students are disproportionately shunted in lower track programs. Majoritarian religious practices are officially sanctioned by teachers and school administrators. Female students are excluded from certain extracurricular activities, and gay students are intimidated into silence.

Teachers and administrators have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for the students that is conducive to learning. They also have a responsibility to respect each student’s individual rights. These two missions are not incompatible. Simply put, students have rights too.

Use the resources on this page to learn more and take action to protect the rights guaranteed to all Americans by the Bill of Rights. A number of fact sheets are available below:

Your Right to Equality in Education
Your Right to Fair Treatment
Your Right to Free Expression
Your Right to Privacy
Your Right to Religious Freedom
Your Right to Keep Your School Records Private