Modern Day Muckrakers

Written Local Information

https://www.thefire.org/north-carolina-becomes-first-state-to-guarantee-college-students-right-to-attorney/

Rights of Students in NC

http://www.parents-supporting-parents.org/SitesDocuments/Ed%20in%20NC%20_Student%20Rights_KYR%20Poster.pdf

Rights

• Freedom of speech and expression
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of assembly
• Must remain silent when questioned by police
• Freedom from discrimination
• School officials may search students’ lockers any time without any suspicion, notice, or probable cause
• Clear rules and policies

Pat McCrory

In 2013, he passes a bill saying that public university students in the state facing non-academic disciplinary charges the right to an attorney. The law, which is the first of its kind nationwide, ensures that students attending the state’s public colleges and universities possess rights similar to those already enjoyed by North Carolina’s K–12 students under state law.

Poll

Do you feel like you have freedom as a student?

YES: 15%

NO: 85%

What can people do about this problem today?

In today's society people can:

• Vote for candidates that support students rights
• Protest their views on the issue
• Discuss the issue with teachers or school authorities
• Talk to the School Board
• Tell their parents and get them invovled

Modern Day Muckrakers

Historical Records to Solve the Problem

• In the past 40 years, the Court has weighed in on a host of issues involving people under 18—from freedom of speech and privacy at school to the rights of teenagers in the legal system.

Degree of those solutions

• Schools may censor newspapers and restrict other forms of student expression, including theatrical productions, yearbooks, creative writing assignments, and campaign and graduation speeches.

• T.L.O. is the landmark case on search and seizure at school. Basically, school officials may search a student's property if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that a school rule has been broken, or a student has committed or is in the process of committing a crime.

• Students have "legitimate expectations of privacy," the Court said, but that must be balanced with the school's responsibility for "maintaining an environment in which learning can take place."

• The Court has ruled in favor of school policies requiring random drug testing for all extracurricular activities (Board of Education v. Earls, 2002).

• There have been multiple organizations and associations that dealt with educating and fighting for young people's rights.

Once a school allows student-interest clubs—such as a scuba-diving club, environmental club, or jazz club—it cannot exclude religious clubs, political clubs, gay-lesbian clubs, or other groups. If the club is religious in nature, however, the school must refrain from active involvement or sponsorship, so that it doesn't run afoul of the Establishment Clause, the Court said.

Nature of the Problem

Causes:

• Teachers don't really realize that students need to have some freedom
• Students are being treated unfairly
• Some older teachers may not be used to providing rights to students because they probably didn't receive they same freedoms

Effects:

• Students are in this enviornment for eight hours a day, five days a week. They are being treated unfairly for that amount of time

• It makes them feel like they are trapped and can't do

Young People/Student's Rights Issues

4. What are your opinions on the dress code?

The dress code is good as it is. I am normally so caught up in teaching that I don't notice how short someone's shorts are. However, I do notice if someone (girls) are showing too much clevage or if I can see their stomachs. It is at eye level, so I can see it.

5. How do you feel about the right of privacy for students?

Teachers should not be allowed to search a student, but administrators can. The only reason a student should be searched if it is dealing with weapons or hard drugs. even if it is a rumor. Those things should be taken seriously.

2. Do you work with other teachers in scheduling the amount of work you give? Do you take into consideration of the students other classes?

I do not talk to other teachers. I just assume that my students have a balanced schedule and that they should be able to balance the work that is given to them.

3. Do you think students should have more right or less rights?

I think that students are given plenty of rights and they have to opportunities to be free. When I was in school, we definitely did not have as much as you guys do today

Interview 2

Teacher: Ms. Odom

1. What is your phone policy in class? What do you do when someone disrespects it?

My policy is that students need to have their phone out of site, either in a backpack or pocket while I am teaching or if they are working on something. I normally verbal cues to let my students know when it is okay for them to have it out and when it is not. Yes, I will take phones if it becomes a problem

5. How do you feel about the right of privacy for students?

I think that students should be entitled to their privacy. The only time someone should be able to go through a students backpack is if they really believe they have something and they have two pieces of evidence as to why they are searching them.

3. Do you think students should have more or less rights? If so, why and what rights?

More rights. We are beginning to be treated like kindergartners again. For example, the yellow boundary lines for the lunch areas. Those are ridiculous. I am not five years old.

4. Have you ever been dress coded? Do you think that dress coding people is unfair?

Yes I have been dress coded. I'm sorry that my shoulders make boys go loco coco

Interview 1

Student: Megan Inness

1. Has your phone ever been taken in class? Do you think it was the right decision?

Yes I have had my phone taken, but I don't think it was the right decision. I don't think teachers should have the right to take my phone, it's personal property.

2. Do you feel stressed with the amount of work given to you between your four classes? Is there a way to regulate that?

Yes I feel so stressed about the work I get. I think teachers should give up the work at the beginning of the week and allow us to do it for the whole week and weekend, and then turn it in.

By: Lauren Tharrington and Emma Selvaggio