You have rights under both federal and state laws, including the U.S. Constitution, the Wyoming Constitution, and the Wyoming Education Code. The Wyoming Department of Education may have additional information. However, the best place to start is to learn your own school’s policies and procedures. You can usually find these in your student handbook or on your school’s website. You can also ask a teacher, the principal, or someone at the school district office.

If you have a question, this guide can help. If you can’t find the answer, ask a counselor or a teacher.

You can also contact our office by email at acluwy@aclu.org.

 
 

Your rights and responsibilities

A.Your rights and responsibilities

A.

Students have have both substantive and procedural rights.

  • Your substantive rights include the right to speak freely, to privacy, to a basic education, to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, to exercise your freedom of religion, and to be free from unlawful discrimination.
  • Your procedural rights include the right to know what the rules are, to be notified when someone thinks you broke the rules, to tell your side of the story, and to appeal decisions of school officials.

Be your own advocate

A.Be your own advocate

A.

Teachers and school officials usually want to do what’s right, even if they sometimes get it wrong. If you believe your rights have been violated, here are some steps that may help you explain why school officials should agree with you. Remember, you are not alone. Ask a teacher you know, a parent or other adult for help. You can also contact our office by email at acluwy@aclu.org.

Check out our advocacy resource page for more tools and tips to improve your skills as an advocate.