Chapter 11: Educational Technology for School Leaders

Myers, J. J., McCaw, D. S., & Hemphill, L. S. (2011). Top ten rules that govern school authority over student cyber expressions. In Schrum, L. (Ed.), The best of Corwin: Educational technology for school leaders (201-208). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Summary

            Student speech is protected by the First Amendment, just as is all other public speech.  There are certain instances however, where schools may censor student speech, particularly if the speech is disruptive, interferes with learning, or is offensive.  Schools may also regulate when and where students express themselves when linked to school activities, especially if the speech is endorsed by the school or is of pedagogical concern.   Schools may also restrict student speech to educate students in social graces. The only time off-campus speech can be regulated by the school is if it is linked to the school or if a true threat has been made. 

Reflection

            The lines between on- and off-campus are increasingly blurred with internet access in classrooms and student accessibility to the web through their personal internet-ready devices.  The problem of cyberbullying and its reach into the sanctuaries of students apart from the schoolyard only adds to this blurring.  While seeking a balance between protection and panic, how do schools refrain from treading on student free speech rights?  We’ve come a long way from the original Tinker case, where students were suspended for wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War.

I am reminded for instance, of JazReynolds, an OU football player who was suspended for an insensitive tweet.  At the time of the incident, it likely seemed that the indefinite suspension was perhaps an overreaction.  However, this example falls under rules 6 and 9 – as a player for a well-known college football team, Mr. Reynolds is likely to be viewed as an ambassador (and thus representing) the university.  Additionally, the nature of his tweet was definitely “inconsistent with the ‘shared values of a civilized social order’” (Myers, McCaw, & Hemphill, 2011, p. 202).

            Much of today’s student speech is less about politics, seeming to fall primarily under the auspices of civilized social order in the arena of social relationships.  This can lead to mistakes in communication that educators will often need to step in on.  When taking advantage of these teachable moments we need to keep in mind the rights of our students to express themselves and help them learn how to do so appropriately.