Students have the right to express their opinions and beliefs regardless of the institution's structure or teachings. This right for students is guaranteed by the First Amendment but only in terms of expressing individual beliefs. Students may not speak on behalf of others through school newspapers or other publications unless granted permission by the school administrators. Students may also not make slanderous or libelous statements regarding others. In addition, individual expression must not impede on the safety and security of others, be illegal in nature or be obscene. Expression should be performed with discretion in a responsible manner.
Students have the right to peaceful assembly for any reason. However, schools do have control over time, place and manner of such assembly. Students may be required to register gatherings and reserve facilities in advance. This allows school personnel to make sure the assembly will not impede on other activities already scheduled and that adequate security will be in place. Schools generally also require that such assembly not block egress or ingress to buildings, not be intimidating or threatening to passersby, and not interfere with academic classes.
A student's ability to wear particular types of clothing or wear alternative hairstyles or makeup is largely dictated by his or her location and school system. The Supreme Court has not made any rulings with regard to how a student is expected to dress; however, lower courts around the United States have tried similar cases with varying results. Students should seek out information from their schools regarding what they are allowed to wear.
Students who attend public schools are guaranteed freedom of religion. Schools that receive federal funding are not permitted to integrate religious observances into the school day. Students do retain the right to discuss their own religious beliefs with others provided it is not disruptive and does not force participation from unwilling or uninterested individuals.
The Equal Educational Opportunity Act prohibits states from denying educational access based on race, color, sex or national origin in a number of manners. Students cannot be deliberately segregated within a school for any of those reasons, nor can they be transferred to schools to promote segregation. Students have the right to an education regardless of their biological background.