Chris Schillig | Special to The Alliance ReviewFreedom of speech for students was reaffirmed this week by the nation’s highest court.In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled it was acceptable for teens to criticize their high schools, even in an explicit manner, when they are off campus. As often happens, the defendant waited a long time for resolution (see: the wheels of justice grind slowly and all that). In this case, Brandi Levy of Pennsylvania had already graduated and moved on to college before the ruling was delivered. Levy was just 14 when she expressed dismay at not making the varsity cheerleading squad by posting an expletive-filled Snapchat rant and a photo of her raised middle finger. The administration punished her by taking away a year’s eligibility to cheer. A charm-school graduate, Levy isn’t. Nevertheless, it isn’t necessary to agree with a particular sentiment or its means of expression to defend somebody’s right to express it. Indeed, the Supreme Court’s decision upheld an earlier finding for Levy, even as it narrowed the rationale of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. While the lower court’s contention is that school administrators have no authority to punish students for statements made off campus, the Supreme…
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Chris Schillig: Supreme Court's not-so-snappy ruling on Snapchat post
