Student Rights
Students have constitutional rights, too. The ACLU of Iowa defends young peoples' free speech and expression, religious freedom, reproductive freedom, privacy, freedom from unreasonable searches or seizures, and equal protection. It safeguards against bullying and other discriminatory treatment.
What you need to know
490,000+
The number of public school students in Iowa
Feb. 24, 1969
The date of the historic Tinker v. Des Moines Schools decision.
6.3 percent
The percentage of students in Iowa public schools who speak a language other than English at home and are enrolled in a language learning program.
Students have constitutional rights, too. The ACLU of Iowa defends young peoples' free speech and expression, religious freedom, reproductive freedom, privacy, freedom from unreasonable searches or seizures, and equal protection. It safeguards against bullying and other discriminatory treatment.
We're especially proud of Tinker v. Des Moines, a landmark win for the ACLU of Iowa at the U.S. Supreme Court that established students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The ruling has ensured strong student activism in Iowa even today.
Despite this landmark win, constitutional violations are far too common in public schools across Iowa. Lockers and backpacks are searched without reasonable suspicion. Students of color are disproportionately disciplined and often forced into the school-to-prison pipeline by school resource officers (SROs). Certain religions are officially—and wrongly—sanctioned by teachers and school administrators. Students are excluded from certain extracurricular activities based on gender, and LGBTQ students are treated unfairly.
Educators and administrators are responsible for providing a safe environment for all students that is conducive to learning. They also have a responsibility to respect each student's individual rights.
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