student rights

Can school teachers and school officials (principal, security, etc.) force students to stand up for the singing of the national anthem? Or can a student have the right to remain seated if he or she wishes to?

Ahh, the joys of first amendment law......

An adult can refuse to stand for the anthem as a form of political expression. However, children's first amendment rights are not as broad as adults'. This is why schools can expell kids for insulting teachers and censor the student newspaper.

Bottom line: Schools can do a lot in the name of discipline and preserving the learning environment. Tell the kid to stand but not sing. Alternatively, see if the ACLU is interested in the case.

Tracey

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.