Freedom of Speech: Can schools discipline
students for off-campus publications?
Those who would give up ESSENTIAL LIBERTY, to purchase
a little TEMPORARY SAFETY, deserve neither LIBERTY nor SAFETY.
Benjamin Franklin, writing on behalf of the Pennsylvania Assembly
in its Reply to the Governor, November 11, 1755
Announcing the 2009 Bill of Rights Essay Contest
Sponsored by the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union
We want students to learn about American freedoms and think critically about the benefits they provide to
all of us. This contest is also designed to show how free speech works by giving students a vehicle to freely
voice their opinions. The essays judged to be the best will be those that effectively address the topic, have
a structured argument, and are well written.
Topic: Can schools punish students for out-of-school statements?
We’ve written a hypothetical situation for students to respond to. Essays should explore and analyze the
issues raised by the scenario. Winning entries will discuss the writer’s views on students’ rights of free
expression vs. the school’s need to maintain a proper learning environment.
Hypothetical: New Tudor City High School’s principal is concerned about raising SAT scores so that more
graduating students get into top colleges. She has forcefully told teachers that they must concentrate on
“teaching for the SAT” even if that means omitting important material from the curriculum.
Some parents and students feel that the quality of teaching and learning has dropped because of this
requirement. Privately, a number of teachers have told their students they agree but they cannot publicly
speak against the principal’s policy.
Justina and Bromley are two concerned students. Both are in the top five percent of the senior class. From
their home computers they created a newsletter called “New Tudor High Flash.” They both write for the
newsletter which is emailed to their friends. Word spread and many students, who do not know the two,
asked to be on the mailing list, which now has about 900 subscribers.
In one issue, under her own name, Justina wrote an article highly critical of the principal which read:
Ms. Smith (who really should be called “Ms. Small Brain”) has sacrificed learning
to achieve higher SAT scores. She is hardly an intellectual and not much of a role
model for students who want to learn rather than be trained like rats in a maze
to answer standardized test questions. She should be replaced with a principal
who puts learning first.
The principal saw this article, suspended Justina, and began the process of a disciplinary hearing which
could result in Justina’s expulsion. Asked by a reporter if Justina’s article wasn’t protected by the First
Amendment, the principal replied “Any article, written on or off-campus, that impacts morale and hurts our
teaching mission is not protected.”
Eligibility Requirements
All 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students residing in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster
and Westchester counties are eligible for the essay contest.
Each entrant must be under the supervision and direction of a teacher.
The supervising teachers or students must submit all essays and student entry forms on or before the
contest due date: Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. Rules and entry forms are included in this announcement.
Students who have family members serving as officers or contest judges are not eligible to participate.
Awards
We will announce the contest winners at the NYCLU, Lower Hudson Valley’s annual Bill Of Rights Day
program on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at St. Paul’s National Historic Site in Mount Vernon. The essays by two
students may be selected for overall prize awards.
•
•
•
Grand Prize - Best Overall Essay:
$300
Second Prize – Overall Essay:
$200
SCHOOL Prize – the top-scoring student essay submitted from EACH SCHOOL, where more than 12
student essay entries have been submitted from the school, will be awarded a $100 Best-in-School
competition prize. (*NOTE: Grand and second prize winners will not receive duplicate prizes.)
(We reserve the right to withhold awards if there are not sufficient entries deemed to merit the prizes.)
Rules and Regulations
•
Download entry form/cover letter from http://www.nyclu.org/regions/lower_hudson_valley.
•
No literary form other than an essay will be accepted.
•
Each essay must reflect the contestant’s own research, writing and original thinking.
•
Only one (1) essay may be submitted by each contestant.
•
Each contestant must complete and attach a student entry form.
•
Essays must be typed and double-spaced.
•
Essay text is limited to three (3) double-spaced, single-sided, numbered pages with one-inch
margins. The title page and bibliography are not included in the page-count.
•
The student’s name must appear on the top of the each page of essay text.
•
References should be included and clearly identified.
•
Send the essay by e-mail to lowerhudsonvalley@nyclu.org and attach the essay and entry form as
one document to your message. Acceptable attachment formats are .doc or .pdf. The entry form will
be used as your cover page to the essay and will not count as part of the 3-page limit.
•
Entries must be submitted by e-mail and received before close of business on Nov. 30, 2009.
•
Essays will not be returned to the authors; they become property of the NYCLU. The chapter
reserves the right to republish and use the essays as it deems necessary. Appropriate citations will
be given to the writers.
The New York Civil Liberties Union
Lower Hudson Valley Chapter
297 Knollwood Rd., White Plains, NY 10607
914.997.7479 | www.nyclu.org
Student Entry Form/Cover Page
2009 Bill of Rights Day
Student Essay Contest
Name ____________________________________________________Grade__________________
Home address _____________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________________State ______________ZIP _____________
Home phone number ____________________________
E-Mail Address: ______________________
School _________________________________________________________________________________
School address __________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________________ZIP _______
School phone number ____________________________Fax: ____________________________
Name of supervising teacher ___________________________________________________________
Student Verification
I certify that I am submitting my original work.
Signature_______________________________________________________________Date______________
Printed Name_____________________________________________________________
Teacher Verification
I have read the enclosed essay and verify that it reflects the above-named student’s original work.
Signature _______________________________________________________________Date______________
Printed Name______________________________________________________________
This entry form must accompany your essay. This will also serve as your cover page.
Entries should be submitted by e-mail to lowerhudsonvalley@nyclu.org. Attach the essay and entry form to
your message. Acceptable attachment formats are .doc or .pdf
Entries must be received by November 30, 2009.