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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

  
  

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.