When can school administrators regulate the content of student speech in public schools, and how does the Court justify permitting such infringements of free speech?

Question

What will be an ideal response?What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to three Supreme Court rulings, school administrators may regulate the content of student speech when it disrupts the functioning of the school, violates the rights of other students, contravenes pedagogical goals or public values, is funded or sponsored by the school, or is likely to be perceived as the school’s own message. Schools in general may regulate the content of student speech to conform to educational goals and age appropriateness. In contrast, university students generally are viewed as adults whose speech rights may not be infringed by university administrators without a compelling government interest. Appeals courts recently have upheld regulations of campus speech to advance “professional standards.” The Court has said public school speech regulations are permissible and appropriate because: (a) young students are especially vulnerable and impressionable; (b) society has a unique interest in protecting and educating youth; (c) the school environment is special and has unique goals and needs; and (d) schools need to make judgments about appropriate student speech if they are to perform the function of inculcating values central to their mission.