Sunday, June 9, 2013

Valedictorian's Mike Cut Off Mid Speech: Policy vs. Judgement

High School Valedictorian Censored

When Joshua high school valedictorian said "..they threatened to turn off my microphone if.." the school officials did just that.  His mike was abruptly turned off.  In doing so, the school administrators may have created a bigger controversy than if they had just let the student say what he intended to. 

Under Tinker v. Des Moines ISD, schools have the right curtail speech if it will likely create a "material and substantial disruption" to a legitimate school function.  Here, the biggest disruption was the very act of cutting off the student's microphone.

 Another clear example of lack of perspective and good judgment on the part of one or more school administrators.