“You can actually make your schools better by knowing your rights.”

Summer intern Holly Berlin said as she introduced the new Students Rights Guide for public and charter schools in Hawaii from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This guide is filled with information about your rights as a student. It ranges from topics or questions about freedom of speech, sports, religion, protection of students’ gender expression, to student groups.  This guide is meant to help students if they feel their rights have been violated or if they are just curious. Private schools are not included for this guide.

Having students knowing their rights will help schools keep things fair. Students will hopefully feel more confident and comfortable while at school. Legal issues could also be avoided if people were aware of students rights.

This guide has been modified by attorneys, social workers and other professionals. The ACLU strongly suggests you contact them with questions, suggestions or worries about student rights. This is only meant to help students and to raise their awareness. The ACLU also gives other resources for specific rights like Women’s Sports Foundation and Hawaii State Office on Homeless Concerns. Parents, teachers, guardians and school staff and administration are allowed to use this guide as well.

To learn more visit their website : http://acluhi.org/the-rights-of-students-in-hawaii-public-and-charter-schools/.