Legislation

In recent years, school districts statewide have begun handing out school-owned computers for at-home use by students. These devices carry virtually no privacy protections, allowing schools to spy on students at home.

Legislation introduced will require that a minor have a parent or guardian present during questioning by law enforcement.

The General Assembly considered, but did not act on, legislation ensuring that student newspapers share the same press freedom as other newspapers.

Statewide, Internet filters used by school districts block considerably more information than is required by federal law, often without prior warning, derailing classroom lessons and hindering the ability of students to complete homework.

The ACLU has demonstrated for the past several years that the tremendous overuse of suspensions in Rhode Island’s schools leaves students of color and students with disabilities disproportionately affected, particularly for the less-serious “subjective” offenses.

As technology becomes more ubiquitous, schools statewide have begun handing out school-owned computers for at home. Although these devices are used in the home, they carry virtually no privacy protections and some schools have even informed children the computers are subject to monitoring any time.

The ACLU testified before the House Finance and Senate Education Committees in May, in opposition to legislation sending state money to parochial schools through a “school choice” program.

The House and Senate approved legislation addressing the use of Internet filters on school computers.

Even as consensus grows nationwide that out-of-school suspensions carry a lifetime of ill effects and should only be used for the most serious offenses, RI's students are routinely suspended from school for small infractions that pose no risk of physical harm or serious distraction to their peers.