It’s illegal for public agencies to discipline teachers for statements they make, if those statements are a "matter of public concern," a federal appeals court ruled last week.Most public employees can be disciplined for making statements their bosses don’t like, even if it might seem like they are protected by the First Amendment.
News
New school year? There’s a few things your newsroom should be doing
It's the first month of school for most students, which is a good time to take a look at policies or procedures that may have changed over the summer break without much notice.
September 2013 podcast: How well do high school administrators know the First Amendment?
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Audrey Cunningham of Hiram College talks with Student Press Law Center Executive Director Frank LoMonte about her survey of high school administrators' knowledge of the First Amendment.Frank LoMonte: It is back to school time for the 2013-2014 school year and along with teaching Media Law 101 to their own students, a number of journalism educators are… Continue reading September 2013 podcast: How well do high school administrators know the First Amendment?
Ohio school district says school bus cameras are protected by FERPA
Ohio school district says school bus cameras are protected by FERPAIn an interview explaining the Aurora school district’s bus safety procedures, Superintendent Russ Bennett told the Aurora Advocate that each school bus is outfitted with security cameras to record student activity. The recordings can be viewed by administrators in the event of an incident, he… Continue reading Ohio school district says school bus cameras are protected by FERPA
Calif. school district approves new social media policies to replace contract
More than a month after students, parents and free speech organizations protested a Lodi, Calif., school district’s social media contract, the district’s board of trustees unanimously agreed on a reworked policy.
Ninth Circuit gives school officials (limited) license to punish students’ threatening online speech
Whether public schools can regulate students' off-campus speech just as if the speech occurred on campus is a recurring legal issue that will arise with increasing frequency now that state legislatures are putting schools into the business of policing online bullying.The Ninth Circuit U.S.
Department of Education secretary says agency is happy to assist reporters when schools mistakenly cite FERPA
Earlier today, Education Secretary Arne Duncan took questions from journalists on a conference call organized by the Education Writers Association.
Meet Samantha Vicent, one of SPLC’s fall interns
Editors' note: This week, we're welcoming SPLC's fall interns, Samantha Sunne and Samantha Vicent (that's not confusing at all, right?). The two will be covering news affecting student media through December, and we're so excited to have the chance to work with them.
Meet Samantha Sunne, one of SPLC’s fall interns
Editors' note: This week, we're welcoming SPLC's fall interns, Samantha Sunne and Samantha Vicent (that's not confusing at all, right?). The two will be covering news affecting student media through December, and we're so excited to have the chance to work with them.
TRANSPARENCY TUESDAY: Public records — delivered hot and oven-fresh… or they’re free?
Next to waiting for the cable TV installer, there's not much more irritating for us first-worlders than waiting for the public records that never come.Many state open-records laws require an agency to respond to a request for public documents within three, five or 10 days.