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Professional Perspective: As a high school English teacher with a focus on literature and writing, my perspective as an educator is centered on improving critical thinking and effective communication skills.

Audience: This Padlet is for teachers and administrators, especially those teaching education courses in grades 9-12.

Topic: The chosen topic is "Freedom of Expression in High School". I selected this topic because of it's significance in creating open dialogue while informing staff of the legal and ethical obligations when discussing potentially controversial content.

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Federal Level: The federal agency for education is the U.S. Department of Education, which oversees federal standards and laws, including those in high school education.

State Level: The state agency for education in Texas is the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which plays a role in implementing and adapting federal standards to the local area for high school education.

Practical Expertise: Through my experience, I've gained understanding of the importance of governing bodies and their connections to one another. These governing bodies maintain legal accountability and ensure that districts are aligned with educational goals at the high school level. These governing bodies are responsible for legal and ethical enforcement of student's rights including those of free speech.

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Slide #3 Federal and State Constitutional Laws 

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Slide #3 Federal and State Constitutional Laws 

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Federal Constitutional Law:

Source: U.S. Constitution

In-Text Citation - (U.S. Const. amend. I)

Link to Federal Law - https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment

Ensures individuals have the right to express themselves freely and addresses freedom of expression and its impact within an educational setting (U.S. Const. amend. I).

State Constitutional Law:

Source: Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 8

In-Text Citation - (Tex. Const. art. I, § 8)

Link to State Law - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm#1.8

Ensures individuals have the right to express themselves freely and establishes a foundation for understanding the constitutional protection of free speech within an educational setting (Tex. Const. art. I, § 8).

Legal Requirements:

Extends constitutional protection to students and educators in public educational institutions.

Permits reasonable restrictions, such as those related to national security.

Grants constitutional protection to students and educators in public educational institutions.

Balances free speech with potential limitations to prevent harm or abuse.

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Slide #4 Texas Statue and Administrative Law

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Slide #4 Texas Statue and Administrative Law

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Statute:

Source: Texas Education Code, Chapter 26, Subchapter A, Section 26.002

In-Text Citation - (Tex. Educ. Code § 26.002)

Link to Statute - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.26.htm#26.002

Defines the purpose of education in Texas, highlighting the importance of First Amendment rights, including freedom of speech, within an educational setting (Tex. Educ. Code § 26.002).

Establishes the purpose of free expression in the state's educational framework.

Texas Education Code § 26.002 protects students' freedom of speech as a fundamental aspect of public education.

Administrative Law:

Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part II, Chapter 4, Subchapter A, Rule 4.1

In-Text Citation - (Texas Admin. Code § 4.1)

Link to Administrative Law - https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=19&pt=2&ch=4&sch=A&rl=Y

Texas Administrative Code, Rule 4.1, establishes TEA's commitment to safeguarding students' constitutional rights, including freedom of speech (Texas Admin. Code § 4.1).

Legal Requirements:

Both the statute and administrative rule recognize the importance of fostering an environment that respects and upholds First Amendment rights in educational institutions.

Guidelines may have reporting systems in place for educators to address potential violations of students' freedom of speech.

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Common Law:

Source: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

In-Text Citation - (393 U.S. 503)

Link to Common/Case Law - https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/393/503

Tinker v. Des Moines, a U.S. Supreme Court case, confirmed students' First Amendment rights in schools. The ruling supported students wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, establishing that students retain their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression even within the school environment (393 U.S. 503).

Legal Requirements:

Tinker v. Des Moines establishes that students maintain their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech, while attending public schools.

The case provides essential guidance for educational institutions nationwide, influencing policies and practices related to student expression.

Ensures alignment with constitutional protections for student speech.

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Federal Regulation:

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Part 104.7

In-Text Citation - (34 CFR 104.7)

Link to Federal Regulation - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-104

This federal regulation, part of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, prevents discrimination based on disability in federally assisted programs (34 CFR 104.7). It protects the freedom of speech for students with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to educational benefits, including the right to express themselves.

Legal Requirements:

Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities based on their ability to express themselves.

Requires schools to have accessible communication methods, ensuring students with disabilities can participate in and express themselves at school.

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Local Policy:

Source: Arlington Independent School District (AISD) Student Code of Conduct

In-Text Citation - (AISD 2022)

Link to Local Policy - https://www.aisd.net/wp-content/files/2022-2023-Student-Code-of-Conduct-English.pdf

The AISD Student Code of Conduct for the academic year 2022-2023 serves as the local policy, providing guidelines for student behavior and dress. This policy, while focusing on the mentioned aspects, aligns with the broader principles of free speech (AISD 2022).

Legal Requirements:

Administrative empowerment to assess and determine current fashion acceptability.

This policy protects students' freedom of speech, enabling them to convey political messages through clothing within the confines of maintaining a respectful academic atmosphere.

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Strategies

Source: Teacher-Parent Communication: A Consulting Model by James C. Schmidt and John W. Atlas

In-Text Citation - (Schmidt, 1976)

Link to source - https://www.jstor.org/stable/23903066

Overview: J. C. Schmidt's and John W. Atlas' research on consulting practices for affecting change in elementary schools, adapted for enhancing communication in high school English education with a focus on free speech.

Active Listening: Teachers actively listen to students' opinions and expressions, fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints are welcomed. This demonstrates a commitment to students' free speech rights.

Empathetic Responses to Student Concerns: When students express themselves, teachers respond empathetically, validating their feelings and emphasizing the importance of free speech in a respectful learning environment (Schmidt, 1976).

Transparency with Parents: Teachers communicate transparently with parents about classroom discussions, projects, or activities related to free speech. This ensures that parents are informed and can engage in conversations with their children about the importance of diverse opinions (Schmidt, 1975).

By using these strategies, high school teachers not only encourage free speech among students but also foster a partnership with parents in understanding the value of open expression in the learning environment.

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Standard 3.9: Inappropriate Communication

In-Text Citation - (Texas Administrative Code § 247.2)

Link to Standard *URL shortened- https://tinyurl.com/2utnzf24

The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor (Texas Administrative Code § 247.2).

Application to Free Speech:

Balances the promotion of free speech with the responsibility to maintain professional boundaries.

Nurturing an environment where students feel free to express ideas while upholding ethical standards.

Connection:

Safeguarding students from potential harm while fostering an inclusive space for open discourse.

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Slide #10 Alignment with Educational Standards: On the Way to Leadership

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Slide #10 Alignment with Educational Standards: On the Way to Leadership

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Researching educational policies, particularly those pertaining to student free speech, provided me with insights into legal and ethical standards. This connection has shaped my academic pursuits and confirmed my dedication to a leadership role that provides an educational appropriate and legally compliant educational atmosphere. As I endeavor to become a principal, I recognize the role these standards play in building a positive learning environment that encourages free speech for students. This process has given me the confidence to navigate legal frameworks and educational practices. Recognizing the importance of upholding ethical standards, I am motivated to contribute actively to the enforcement and compliance of policies that safeguard students' rights and promote a culture of learning.

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Slide #11 Best Practices in Educational Settings

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Slide #11 Best Practices in Educational Settings

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Develop Clear Policies: Formulate transparent and comprehensive policies regarding student free speech, outlining the boundaries and acceptable forms of expression within the educational environment.

Provide Training: Host regular training sessions for educators and staff to enhance their understanding of legal and ethical standards, ensuring compliance with relevant policies.

Engage Stakeholders: Involve parents, students, and community members in the policy-making process, gathering diverse perspectives.

Encourage Student Leaders: Encourage student involvement in shaping the educational environment by promoting student-led initiatives and organizations that advocate for free speech and responsible expression.

Establish Open Communication: Establish clear channels for communication between students, parents, and educators to encourage open dialogue on matters of student free speech.

Collaborate with Legal Experts: Seek guidance from legal professionals or experts specializing in education law to ensure that policies align with current legal standards.