Expert: Michael Troy - 4/7/2010

Question
what are your views on free speech in schools, and what do you think the limits should be?

Answer
Generally speaking, schools have a very difficult balance.  On the one hand, a school's mission to educate students requires some measure of control over them and the ability to compel the students to learn certain things.  On the other hand, schools should not stifle student expression to prevent the expression of ideas simply because school officials disagree with them.

Schools certainly need the authority to maintain order.  Students cannot be free to stand up and give a diatribe about politics in the middle of math class.  But a student should be free to express such ideas during free time or in an appropriate classroom forum (such as a social studies debate).

Courts have also held that speech deemed "disruptive" can also been restricted.  Personally, I think the courts sometimes go a little too far in this area.  Finding a t-shirt disruptive, for example, seems rather silly to me.

I hope this helps!
- Mike