urtexpanded on the special nature of First Amendment law surrounding the public elementary andsecondary schools. In Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier, the high court found thatpublic schools generally are not open public forums in the same sense as streets or parks and thatschool officials may therefore impose reasonable restrictions on free speech. This ruling wasconsistent with earlier Supreme Court decisions that the schools unique role in promotingrespect for authority and traditional values and in preparing individuals for participationassistance justifies greater latitude in regulating speech on school property (Leiberman 56). However many times when this issue goes to court, groups such as the ACLU will try topersuade us why this violates our First Amendment rights. Lauren Seigal, who is director of theACLU Public Education Department, has stated no one knows for certain whether the schooluniforms are actually beneficial (Merchant 2). Developing a mandatory uniform policy does notinfringe on the students First Amendment rights. The fact they have to take into considerationis that these children are still minors. School districts are only implementing these policies inorder to protect them from the dangers that come with living in the modern world. MichaelKennedy points out that Teachers emphasize how children respond much better in theclassroom when they are all dressed the same (Hirsch 19). They give students an esprit andhelp improve morale. Children can concentrate more on their studies than on what fashionable,at least during school hours (Sauerwein 4). A dress code will enforce discipline towardslearning because they will have fewer distractions and students will see the school as aworkplace for teaching and learning. So how can these policies take away students rights whenit is proven that they are able to concentrate on their work and not on who is wearing the latestfad and who is not? Families from the l...
