Home > The Issues > Student & Youth Rights > Going Back to School? Download the Students' Rights Handbook!

Most children in America spend nearly half their waking hours in or around our public schools. It is essential that students and their families learn about their rights and responsibilities in the school environment. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that students do not "shed their rights at the schoolhouse gate." However, because of the young age of students and because of the educational function of schools, students have more limited rights than those of adults in society.

The ACLU-NJ's Students' Rights Handbook addresses a variety of rights and responsibilities affecting students in school including those regarding discrimination, speech and expression, religion, search and seizure, school records and disciplinary procedures. The ACLU-NJ hopes that this information will serve as a guide to students, parents and school personnel who wish to protect their own rights and to respect the rights of others within the school community.

Download your copy of the Students' Rights Handbook now!

Printed copies of the handbook are available through the Publication Request Form. Bulk quantites are available.