Kansas is considering a complaint form that would allow people to report student walkouts, as part of a new state law limiting the ability of students to conduct protests without written parental permission.
Background
The new law, passed by Kansas Republicans, bars students from attending walkouts without parental consent and outlines potential fines for school districts if they fail to enforce attendance policies or encourage student walkouts.
State education officials would investigate complaints and determine if a reported walkout violated the law. The proposed form asks people to report details like student organizers’ names, the number of participants, and any evidence that staff encouraged the walkout.
Concerns and Reactions
Some worry that the law will punish student expression and that the complaint form could violate student privacy. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) suggests that instead of punishing districts or students, the state should teach students about protected protests in schools.
A student at Derby High School, Gabby Delaney, participated in an anti-ICE walkout last school year and believes that students will continue to organize spontaneous walkouts, as disruption is part of the appeal of protesting.
Next Steps
The state board is expected to vote on the complaint form at its meeting in August. The form’s implementation has raised concerns about the balance between student expression and school policies.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
