Freedom of speech, enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution, is a foundational legal principle in the United States. Within the context of schools, the importance of this cultural value has a longstanding history (e.g., Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969). That said, courts have identified instances where the speech rights of students can be […]
Legal Matters: April 2025
Education PolicyFirst Amendment
Creating Just Communities
The anthropologist Margaret Mead famously wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” As a school leader, I hold onto these words with fierce conviction. In a world where calls for universal, quality education or the equal rights of […]
Belongingdiversity equity and inclusionLGBTQ+LGBTQ+ School Leaders Networkschool culture
The Secret to Sustained Student Council Success
The student council at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, VA, has been recognized as a National Council of Excellence 15 times, ever since the school first opened. The award recognizes student councils for implementing a strong leadership program that meets council goals; functioning in an ethical and responsible way; and engaging others in leadership, spirit, […]
Elevating Student VoiceNational Student CouncilNatStuCoNCOESchool LeadershipStudent leadership
Social Justice Training to Combat Inequities
The 2020–21 school year was grueling in a variety of ways. During a time of pandemic and social-political upheaval, schools felt the impact on their social-emotional landscape. Upon their fall 2020 return to campus from COVID-19 closure, educators and school leaders began to suspect that great work needed to be done. Northwest High School’s Story […]
Equitysocial justicestudent voice
Legal Matters: December 2019
An Oklahoma student was sent home because school officials believed her dreadlocks distracted from a respectful environment. A school in Ohio faced criticism for banning “Afro puffs” and small twisted braids, and a North Carolina school came under scrutiny when students were forbidden from wearing African head wraps. A boy in Mississippi was suspended after […]