Michigan students suspended over MySpace photos
There's an interesting lawsuit playing out in Michigan, where four students were suspended from Belleville High School over photos on MySpace showing them with what appear to be guns, drugs and gang signs. The students sued, and a judge ruled this week that they must be reinstated because the school board didn't keep records of their suspension hearings. But the board plans to hold new hearings by the end of the week, and it's possible the students won't get to return to the same schools. A Detroit Free Press article is here.
This seems to be a slippery slope. You don't have to spend more than a few minutes on MySpace or YouTube to find kids from a school near you apparently engaged in, or at least talking about engaging in, criminal activity. (Remember the brawl after the City-Poly game a few weeks ago that stemmed from a dispute on MySpace.) But should schools be allowed to discipline students for stuff they post online in their free time? Does it matter if the photos or videos are taken at school (for instance, boxing in the halls at Mervo)? In Belleville, the photos were apparently taken after the students had left a school dance.
It certainly is instructive for teachers and administrators to look at the online diaries their students have posted for the world to see. But what is appropriate use of the information beyond that?
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
I do think schools should be allowed to discipline student for those things posted on line that may interferred with the well being of other students that are attending the school.
It is the schools responsibility to not only educate but protect each and every child while in the school building and if something like gang activity or any possible gun,sex, or drug usage may interfere with the educational process of the school (s) actions should be taken in accordance.
Sincerely,
Dale S. Anderson
Coppin State University Student
Posted by: Dale Anderson | November 29, 2007 7:10 AM
This sort of nonsense is one of the many reasons why I will be homeschooling.
It's not enough to keep students in kiddie jail six hours a day - the school system should be watching them online, too?
I guess the teachers and administrators at this school have done such a good job teaching these kids math and English that they have time to spare to cruise MySpace.
Posted by: Marc Nelson Jr. | November 29, 2007 10:40 AM
This is a struggle between my heart and my head. I certainly feel that the civil liberties of children need to be protected. However, my school lost a seventh grader last night in a stabbing. I know it is a slippery slope to say such things but . . . is there a price too high to save these kid's lives?
It's too bad Marc is so cynical -- some of us teachers really are tying to do the right thing and care deeply about these kids.
Posted by: Maureen | November 30, 2007 12:19 PM
So, Marc. You'd be upset if your child went to a public school and their teacher found completely inappropriate photos/videos featuring your child on myspace or youtube? Wouldn't you be interested? What if they threatened other students?
Now, I agree with Maureen. I understand the legal ramifications and the idea that parents raise the children, not the school. However, like she said, is there a price too high?
So many times (Columbine, Virginia Tech) people have talked about the "signs" after the fact. Maybe its paranoia, maybe its overextending the arm of the government, or maybe its simply trying to keep these children from harm.
Posted by: Steph | December 2, 2007 6:29 PM
So, Marc. You'd be upset if your child went to a public school and their teacher found completely inappropriate photos/videos featuring your child on myspace or youtube? Wouldn't you be interested? What if they threatened other students?
Now, I agree with Maureen. I understand the legal ramifications and the idea that parents raise the children, not the school. However, like she said, is there a price too high?
So many times (Columbine, Virginia Tech) people have talked about the "signs" after the fact. Maybe its paranoia, maybe its overextending the arm of the government, or maybe its simply trying to keep these children from harm.
Posted by: Steph | December 2, 2007 6:30 PM
These students shouldn't be disciplined by the school for things posted on MySpace. It is possible to inform the parents, refer them for counseling/mentoring or other interventions to address the behaviors. If the behavior is shown to be taking place on school property, that's another story. The schools should then impose the appropriate sanctions.
Posted by: Avalon | December 4, 2007 2:19 PM