Student Rights in Iowa

Even though you’re not yet 21, or even 18, you have constitutional rights under federal and Iowa law.

You have a wide variety of rights: student freedom of speech and expression, censorship, legal rights, LGBT rights, harassment, reproductive and medical rights, locker searches, and more.

• Freedom of speech, including censorship of student publications

• Oaths, prayers, and religious instruction in schools

• Student walkouts

• Dress codes and shirts

• Discrimination and bullying

• Body and locker searches

• Birth control, pregnancy, and medical rights

• Drinking and drugs

• Getting kicked out of school and other punishment

• Trouble with the law

• Technology/computer rights

• Step-by-step instructions on how students can advocate for their rights

• The Test

And check out this handbook, created by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. It's solid guide to help young people understand their rights—and to stand up for them!

For a pdf version of the handbook, click here.