Know Your Rights - Free Speech

This video is about one of the most common, but often misunderstood topics: Free speech.

Speech can take many forms; it can include oral or written statements, clothing, buttons, flags, or even campaign contributions. Any expressive act is speech.

Discussion topics include:

  • When is a teacher's speech considered government speech and not protected?
  • Is a teacher's speech protected when they discuss personal grievances in public forums?
  • When is a teacher's speech considered government speech and not protected?
  • Is a teacher's speech protected when they discuss personal grievances in public forums?
  • When might a teacher's speech be protected when speaking as a private citizen on public concerns?
  • How does the freedom of speech for public sector employees differ when speaking as private citizens versus representatives of their school?
  • What is the key question in determining whether the speech is protected? Is it the speech of a private citizen or the school?