Be Your Own Advocate -- Stand Up For Your Rights
This section describes six general strategies to use if you feel that your rights are being violated. Remember that freedom cannot protect itself. You might find a sympathetic teacher, a parent or adult who will stand up for you when the school is violating your rights, but often it is up to you to ask for help. Most educators -- including school administrators -- want to do the right thing. If you carefully and respectfully explain to school officials that certain actions of the school are improper, you might find that they will agree with you.
1. Know Your Rights
You cannot protect your rights if you do not know what they are. A good place to start looking is in the written policies and procedures adopted by your school district. You should find some of those in your student handbook, and you can find more by asking your principal or superintendent’s office. However, you should not stop there. Laws and policies are constantly changing, so sometimes school policies are outdated. They may not give you full information about your rights. You can find out more about your rights from this guide. If you have a specific question about your rights and cannot find an answer, talk to your school counselor or teacher to see if they can help you. You can also contact the ACLU to see if we can help.
2. Investigate The Facts
If something happens that you think is unfair, keep track of the details. The best way to keep things straight is to write things down! Ask for statements from witnesses. Try to find out the points of view of the different people involved, including school staff or administrators. If the school gives you anything in writing or if you submit anything in writing yourself, make and keep copies.
As soon after the incident as possible, write out a statement, including:
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Who was involved? Who saw it?
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What happened? What was said?
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When did it happen? When did you report it?
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Where were you?
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Why did the school take the action it did?
3. Think About What You Want
What do you think the school should do? Some changes may affect only you. Other changes may involve a rule or policy that will affect everyone in your school, district, or state. When you have an idea about what you want to happen, think about how you can make the case for it.
4. Figure Out Who Has The Power To Help
When you know what you want, figure out who has the power to make it happen. If you want help in understanding something you think is unfair, you might start with a teacher or counselor. If your problem involves a teacher, other school staff, or school activity, you should go to the principal or school counselor. If your problem is with the principal, or if the principal is not helping you, your next step may be to contact the superintendent (or in some cases, the school board). Changes in school policy can only be made by the school board, but you will generally want to start by talking with your principal and the superintendent. When it comes to school discipline, there are usually specific steps you must follow to challenge a punishment or other sanction. Look in your handbook and read disciplinary notices carefully to understand your appeal rights.
5. Find Your Allies And Work In A Group
If you see a problem, you are likely not the only one who is affected or concerned. Your message will be stronger if you can work in a group. Look for other students, teachers, parents, or community members to work with you.
You can build awareness and support for an issue by:
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writing an article for the school paper
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going to school board meetings
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getting petitions signed by other students, parents, and teachers.
6. Meet With The Decision-Makers
If you plan a group meeting with the principal or another school administrator:
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be sure to meet first just with your group
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outline the points you want to make and how you will make them
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designate one person to talk while another takes notes
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let the principal know in advance who will be attending the meeting.
Remember, you will have the most success if you remain calm and reasonable. Always treat school officials with respect, even if you disagree with them. If school administrators say “no” to your request, ask for the reasons behind their decision and try to respond. If that does not change their minds, try going to the next step -- usually, an appeal to the superintendent or school board. After any meeting, write a brief note to the official you met with, following up and confirming any agreements that were reached or stating your understanding of what will happen next.
Standing up for your rights at school and in court takes courage, but your success can help prevent future violations of other students’ rights. The ACLU has helped many students stand up for their rights, and has often succeeded. However, sometimes courts have favored schools’ interest in keeping order over students’ rights. Sometimes schools are allowed to punish students for speech that we believe should be protected, or search students’ things for reasons we think aren’t valid. Nevertheless, don’t get discouraged -- just because schools are allowed to do something doesn’t mean it’s right or a good idea. That’s something everyone needs to be reminded of at times.
Students Rights Handbook index:
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