Free exchange is best way to learn

More than 35 years ago the United States Supreme Court wrote, “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech … at the schoolhouse gates,” in its landmark decision that students and teachers have the right to free expression on school grounds (Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969).

The writer of Sunday’s letter on student newspapers, in his attack on House Bill 1307, suggests that such freedom should be limited. If he were a true conservative, he would, in fact, support the Constitution and the fact that we don’t take rights away from people just because they are young.

One does not have to earn rights – but one can lose them through court action for just cause.

More than 55 years ago I was a sports editor for the Everett High School Kodak. I can assure readers that we were a responsible group of kids who may have made errors from time to time, but learned from those errors. To have locked us into simple rote routines would have trained us to work for a dictatorship, not for a democracy.

I spent 40 years in public education as a teacher, counselor and administrator – much of it in California where the law prohibits administrative censorship of student publications. At times it was discomforting for administrators (and, sometimes, students) but discomfort was a small price to pay for open, free discussion.

To suggest that today’s students have nothing to teach each other is to underestimate the value of peer learning. Students help other students through tutoring, insightful discussions and by just studying together.

Students are not empty vessels that are to be filled from the top in isolation from everyone else. It is the interchange that makes for a productive society.

Dan Nsman

Port Townsend

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, May 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

In the summer of 2021, members of the Skagit River System Cooperative counted fish in the restored estuary of Leque Island near Stanwood. What they found was encouraging. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210817
Comment: Ignoring the climate choice to adapt or die

The loss of funding for climate adaptation science will leave regions to weather impacts on their own.

Reverse Congress librarian’s unjust firing

I am beyond heartbroken by the unceremonious firing of Dr. Carla Hayden,… Continue reading

Should states handle issue of immigration?

OK, here we go again. The southern states have been screaming ‘states’… Continue reading

Candidates without opponents should decline donations

No candidates registered to run against Jared Mead or Nate Nehring for… Continue reading

Why does Trump need three 747s?

If children can make do with two dolls instead of 30 while… Continue reading

No doubt about what Trump is doing to nation

There is no doubt about it. The Trump administration is in reality… Continue reading

Among the programs sponsored by Humanities Washington was a Prime Time Family Reading Event at the Granite Falls Sno-Isle Library in March. (Rachel Jacobson)
Comment: Loss of humanities grants robs us of connections

The loss of $10 million in humanities funding in the state diminishes what celebrates human creativity.

Comment: Democrats’ tax plan aimed at ‘villain,’ hit consumers

The governor should veto a B&O tax increase that will hit food prices at stores and restaurants.

Comment: Compare tax choices of 3 states and watch what happens

Idaho and Montana cut their taxes. Washington raised taxes to historic levels. Will an exodus result?

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.