Home : Student Rights

ACLU Demands Roane County Abandon Illegal Random Drug Testing of Students (09/10/2008)
KINGSTON, TN – The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) today sent a letter to the Roane County school district demanding a stop to the random drug testing of student athletes which is in clear violation of state law. In addition to being illegal, random drug testing of students is proven to be ineffective in deterring drug use and is opposed by leading experts in adolescent health, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Education Association, the Association of Addiction Professionals and the National Association of Social Workers.

Federal Judge Rules that the state of Hawaii Department of Education Must Fulfill Its Obligation to Homeless Children (02/14/2008)
HONOLULU – U.S. District Court Chief Judge Helen Gillmor has ordered the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to change its enrollment procedures to ensure equal access for homeless children. After hearing from civil rights groups and attorneys representing three homeless parents and their five children on 2/11/08, Judge Gillmor granted their motion for preliminary injunction in part and their motion to proceed as a class action.

Advocates Testify On Impact Of School Suspensions And Demand Passage Of The Student Safety Act (01/23/2008)
NEW YORK – The New York Civil Liberties Union and a coalition of advocates today called on the New York City Council to pass the Student Safety Act, legislation that would provide much-needed transparency and scrutiny to the disciplinary and security policies in New York City public schools.

ACLU of Ohio Tells School Officials to Stop Forcing Students to Turn Over Cell Phones (11/27/2007)
MASON, OH – In a letter today to Dr. David Allen, principal at William Mason High School, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio warned school officials that their current practice of seizing student cell phones and reading personal text messages was poor policy and unconstitutional. Recently, the ACLU of Ohio received complaints from students and parents at the school because several administrators began confiscating phones and reading private text messages to determine if the students attended private parties off school grounds during the weekend.

ACLU of Ohio Launches Teen Health Publication in Spanish (11/26/2007)
CLEVELAND- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio unveiled its new Spanish guide on teen health, “Tu Salud y La Ley: Una Guía para Adolescentes.” A translated and updated version of, “Your Health and the Law: A Guide for Teens,” this booklet provides insight into both Ohio and federal laws regarding teen health care with the adolescent reader in mind.

Civil Rights Lawyers Ask Court to Block Laws Illegally Denying Homeless Children Equal Access to Education (11/06/2007)
HONOLULU – Advancing their class action lawsuit, Lawyers for Equal Justice (LEJ) and the ACLU of Hawaii today filed a motion in federal court seeking an order to immediately halt state officials from enforcing laws and policies that block access by homeless children to public education. These measures are in violation of federal law.

ACLU Takes the Fight for Civil Liberties to the Comic Book Pages (09/05/2007)
NEW YORK -- From Iron Man being appointed President Bush’s Secretary of Defense to the release of Marvel’s “Civil War” series, comic books today are bringing political issues directly to their readers. Now, the American Civil Liberties Union — the real-world organization on the frontlines of the battle to protect civil liberties — is putting on a mask and cape and venturing into the comic book world.

ACLU Urges Rhode Island Supreme Court to Review Truancy Courts (04/30/2007)
PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today asked the state Supreme Court to review a case that raises fundamental questions about the procedures used by so-called “truancy courts” that prosecute students who are absent from school. The ACLU filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case arguing that essential due process safeguards are absent from the operation of these courts, which have become increasingly prevalent in public schools across the state.

ACLU Announces Winners of 2007 Youth Activist Scholarship (04/19/2007)
NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union announced today the winners of its Youth Activist Scholarship for 2007. Eleven high school seniors from across the country will each receive a $4,000 college scholarship in recognition of their outstanding work to protect civil liberties, especially for young people.

ACLU of Massachusetts Praises Decision to Cancel Lunch Bytes Program (04/19/2007)
BOSTON - Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts praised the decision by the Taunton School Committee to cancel plans for its controversial "Lunch Bytes" program, which would have used fingerprint scans to identify students in the lunch line.

ACLU Announces Third Annual Stand Up for Freedom Contest (04/12/2007)
NEW YORK, NY – The American Civil Liberties Union StandUp campaign launched its third annual “Stand Up for Freedom Contest,” challenging a new generation of visionaries and activists to produce a podcast or video public service announcement (PSA) about the ways that the Bush administration is abusing its power.

Arrest of 13-Year-Old for Writing on Desk Should Be Wake-up Call for City, NYCLU Says (04/06/2007)
NEW YORK - The New York Civil Liberties Union today condemned the treatment of a 13-year-old girl who was arrested after she wrote the word "okay" on her school desk. The NYCLU said the incident sheds light on the fatal flaws in New York City's use of law enforcement to impose discipline in classrooms.