Students’ Rights and Responsibilities 1

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Maya R. Labat

College of Southern Nevada

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 2

Abstract

This paper discusses the case of Bill Foster, reasons for its ruling based on other case studies,

and an idea of a final court ruling. Bill Foster attended a high school in the northeastern part of

the United States. His school initiated a dress code policy which prohibited the wearing of gang

symbols such as jewelry, emblems, earrings, and athletic caps. This policy was developed based

on gang activities that were prevalent in the school. Foster, who was not involved in gang

activity, wore an earring as a form of expression. He also believed that it was attractive to his

female peers at school. Consequently, he was suspended for wearing the earring. Foster filed

suit claiming that that his first amendment right was not protected, specifically his right to free

expression. In this paper we will discuss both sides of Fosters case. Reasoning as to why his

rights could be protected will be supported by case, constitutional, federal, and state laws.

Reasoning as to why his rights may not be protected will be supported by case, constitutional,

federal, and state laws. In the end, I will give my analysis as well as a final ruling in my opinion

based on case, constitutional, federal, and state law.

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3

Students Rights and Responsibilities

The First amendment states protection of ones’ protection of free speech, press, assembly,

and religious liberties. The line of what is protected for a student can often get blurred. For

example, in one region freedom of expression to wear earrings seems harmless, while in another

region it could not be protected resulting in punishment. This was the case for Bill Foster, a high

school student in northeast United States. In this paper I will discuss how the rights of students

can be interpreted in different ways.

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4

References

Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To.

Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name.

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 5

Footnotes
1
[Add footnotes, if any, on their own page following references. For APA formatting

requirements, it’s easy to just type your own footnote references and notes. To format a footnote

reference, select the number and then, on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, click Footnote

Reference. The body of a footnote, such as this example, uses the Normal text style. (Note: If you

delete this sample footnote, don’t forget to delete its in-text reference as well. That’s at the end of

the sample Heading 2 paragraph on the first page of body content in this template.)]
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 6

Tables

Table 1

[Table Title]

Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789

Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,

footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as

shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as

this one. Use the Table/Figure style, available on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, to get the

spacing between table and note. Tables in APA format can use single or 1.5 line spacing. Include

a heading for every row and column, even if the content seems obvious. A default table style has

been setup for this template that fits APA guidelines. To insert a table, on the Insert tab, click

Table.]
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 7

Figures

0
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and tables,

if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for easy

spacing between figure and caption.]

For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style

Manual, 6th Edition.