Chapter 3: Taking Action and Taking Offense in Our Own Little Democracy: High School Students’ Perceptions of First Amendment Rights and Responsibilities

This case study reports the perspectives of public high school students in a Midwestern state on their First Amendment rights and responsibilities in school. The study was conducted during the 2017–2018 school year, when secondary students across the United States were mobilizing and engaging with their First Amendment rights of assembly and petition. The research questions that framed the study were: (1) How important are First Amendment rights to Ohio high school students? and (2) What are Ohio high school students’ perspectives of responsibilities related to these rights? Findings show that these students universally value their First Amendment rights, with speech discussed the most. They readily acknowledge that rights often must be tempered by responsibilities and express interest in being more involved in who made the decisions about what was permissible and what was not. Finally, they desire more authentic connections with the adults in their schools, with priority on building rapport and relationships and listening as a central component. They desire increased advocacy and support as well as more meaningful and active classroom learning.