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THE RHODE ISLAND ACLU AND
THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS
Most people’s first major encounter with the government is in the school setting. For students to appreciate the importance of civil liberties, it is critical that their rights be practiced and protected in that setting. Below are some of the student rights cases in which the Affiliate has been involved over the years:
1975: Gluckman v. Sheehan -- Successful federal suit on behalf of a student punished for remaining quietly seated while the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in class.
1977: In re: Johnston School Athletic Program -- Favorably settled Title IX complaint alleging that the school provided unequal athletic opportunity and facilities for girls.
1981: The Independent Press v. Brunelle -- Successful federal court challenge to Chariho School Committee decision prohibiting a student from distributing and selling an alternative school paper on school premises.
1986: Quadrino and Rice v. Warwick School Committee -- Favorably settled administrative appeal challenging a school dress code barring students from wearing shorts or sleeveless blouses to school.
1988: Lyman v. Kellner -- Favorably settled federal lawsuit on behalf of students barred from extra-curricular activities for refusing to sign an oath condemning drug and alcohol use.
1992: Chreim v. Board of Governors for Higher Education -- Favorably settled suit on behalf of URI student denied in-state tuition residency status solely because he had not lived in-state for one year before enrolling.
1993: Michaud v. Middletown School Committee -- Successful representation before state Board of Regents of student challenging a grade reduction given him because of an unexpected absence.
1995: Anderson v. Cumberland School Committee -- Successful administrative appeal on behalf of high school students suspended for demonstrating in front of the school in opposition to a new dress code.
1997: Goncalves and Lee v. Pawtucket School Committee -- Administrative appeal to the state Commissioner of Education seeking to overturn the 10-day “zero tolerance” suspensions imposed on two Pawtucket first grade students for having a toy ray gun in school; favorably settled.
1998: Parker v. School Committee of the Town of Westerly -- Successful administrative challenge to the suspension of a high school student for wearing a rock band T-shirt with the numerals “666” on it.
2000: Parent v. School Committee of the Town of Johnston -- Favorably settled federal lawsuit challenging the summary suspension of a high school student based solely on the content of a “free write” composition.
2002: In re: C.H. -- Defense of a student charged in a wayward petition with “disorderly conduct” after he drew on a piece of paper in school a picture of a stick figure with a dynamite device blowing up the building; the charge was filed.
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