NCJ Number
52426
Journal
American School Board Journal Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 29-32,63
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
CITING RELEVANT COURT DECISIONS, THIS PAPER DELINEATES REASONABLE SCHOOL POLICIES ON DRESS CODES, POSSESSION OF DRUG AND WEAPONS, CONDUCT, AND CORPORAL PUNISHMENT THAT DO NOT VIOLATE STUDENTS' RIGHTS.
Abstract
SCHOOL ADMINISRATORS MUST CONSIDER STUDENT RIGHTS AS OUTLINED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT, SEARCH AND SEIZURE LAWS, DUE PROCESS LAWS AND CONSENT TO SEARCH LAWS BEFORE ESTABLISHING SCHOOL POLICY. DRESS CODES SHOULD SPECIFY STUDENT APPEARANCE AND GROOMING ONLY IN AREAS WHERE SAFETY AND HEALTH ARE CONCERNED, ALTHOUGH NUDITY COULD BE SANCTIONED SINCE IT VIOLATES LAWS ON DECENT EXPOSURE. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD MAINTAIN ACCESS TO STUDENT LOCKERS BY REQUIRING LOCKERHOLDERS TO SIGN A WRITTEN NOTICE STATING THAT LOCKERS WILL BE SEARCHED REGULARLY AND TO SUBMIT LOCK COMBINATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATORS. IF THE ADMINISTRATION SUSPECTS A STUDENT OF HAVING DRUGS OR WEAPONS IN A LOCKER, THE STUDENT SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THE SUSPICION, ACCOMPANIED TO THE LOCKER, AND ASKED TO OPEN IT. OFFICIALS MUST BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTING AS AGENTS OF THE POLICE IN SEARCHING STUDENTS' LOCKERS. ADMINISTRATORS WHO DISCOVER POSSESSION OF DRUGS OR WEAPONS WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE SHOULD REPORT THE MATTER TO POLICE IMMEDIATELY AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY POLICY. CORPORAL PUNISMENT IS ENDORSED, BUT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE CAREFUL TO INFORM STUDENTS OF THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM AND SANCTIONS BEFORE TAKING ACTION AND SHOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO ADMIT OR DENY ACCUSATIONS. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION SHOULD ALWAYS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PROMPT AND FAIR HEARING. SCHOOL POLICY REGARDING POLICE BODY SEARCHES, PROPERTY SEARCHES, AND STUDENT INTERROGATION ON SCHOOL GROUNDS IS CONSIDERED. (DAG)