You Be The Judge
Test your knowledge of the Five Freedoms and see how you match up to the courts...and fellow citizens.
Student Speech at Graduation
Two students were selected to give the invocation and
valedictorian graduation speeches at their high school. The district had a
policy of reviewing the speeches. During this review process, the school
informed the students that their messages were too sectarian and proselytizing
and had to be modified. When the students refused, they were denied the
opportunity to speak at graduation. The students sued, seeking damages for
denial of their First Amendment right of free speech.
Can a school bar a student from giving a religiously themed graduation speech?
Vote Now!
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Vote AA. YESA graduation ceremony is not an open speech forum but a government ceremony, and as such, the school has a responsibility to avoid Establishment Clause violations during its graduation ceremony.
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Vote BB. YESStudents at public schools have no First Amendment rights. School is a place for children to be seen, not heard.
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Vote CC. NO
Although schools may censor certain forms of student speech and dress, they may not censor a student for expressing his religious views in a public setting. The rights of school officials to limit student expression are not absolute.


