Should schools check students backpacks or lockers? |
Yes but no in certain places
Unless that place (e.g. Singapore) is relatively safe, checks do not need to be so regularly carried out. If it is USA, then yes absolutely. Had they had a gun ban, they would not need to be so stringent when it comes to security.
Posted by: AnonymousSure
Really, it depends on the circumstances, and schools can be very lax in identifying what constitutes probable cause. You shouldn't start digging in a student's backpack because "he might have a bomb, you never know", but if you have a really good reason to believe that someone is going to do something that is bad, then a school would be justified in checking backpacks. About lockers: Schools seem to justify the lockers being their property when it suits them to randomly search them, but they somehow refuse to take any responsibility for when people jimmy them and steal the contents.
Posted by: Anonymousyes, but only lockers
The school should be able to search the lockers because it belongs to that school not the students. However, under the fourth amendment it states that a search must have probable cause but not a search warrant, and you can not just base it on a rumor. If you do it based on a rumor then you first need to ask the persons friends if that persons does or doesn't have anything.
Posted by: AnonymousPrivacy or Pain
Would you rather make school officials leave your stuff alone or have the chance of one of the students having something dangerous in their or even your locker secretly. I know it sounds stupid but it could happen, I mean have you seen all the crazy stuff the population is doing. I'm just saying, it'll make your school a tad bit safer than it is now and deal with if your stuff is misplaced in your locker and it doesn't seem right after the check, it's better than potentially getting stabbed or blown up!
Posted by: Anonymous"Unreasonable searches and seizures"
As stated in the 4th amendment, it is "the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects [belongings], against unreasonable rearches and seizures...". Nowhere in the 4th amendment does it specifically state that there must be a search warrent. however, there must be a reasonable cause to assume the student is in possetion of an item that is not prohibited for there to be a search at all. the search can not be simply based on the assumption or rumor. furthermore, the locker, if that is what is being searched, is school property and the student is only assigned it for the year to hold their belongings in a safe place so they do not go missing or get stollen. it is also important to keep in mind that the student are minors. The supreme court, in a case called "New Jersey v. TLO", decided that need by teachers and administration to maintain order (and the safety of the school body) outweighs the privacy interests on an individual. "school searches are only justified' according to the supreme court, "when there is REASONABLE grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of school". California's state supreme court expanded on this stating that the "reasonable grounds" must be suported by "articuate facts". the manner in which the search is conducted must be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive. No one likes to have their belongings searched and it definately feels very intrusive of privacy, but the safety of a larger body always outweighs the rights of an indevidual. these searches that some believe to be wroung are not done willy nilly. there is always a reasonable cause.
Posted by: Ian_TaylorYes I think that schools should check out lockers and such
Almost everyday school kids do things wrong like bring drugs to school, bring weapons, and sometimes even steal from teachers, parents, or even other children. How would we know that though? The purpose of my paper will be to convince my reader of the importance of locker searches.
There are a number of weapons that can fit in a locker or book bag. Recently in Connecticut there was a man that came and shot teachers and young students. That comes to show how dangerous guns can be. What about knifes? Well in Japan at about the same time a man waited in front of a school and then stabbed children who were trying to walk home.
Drugs can be bad too. Walking somewhere with friends when all the sudden a kid pulls out some marijuana and gives some to the kids around him. That ruined that kids life and it is about to ruin the other kids lives too. Fake drugs are sold and can ruin your mind literally. It can kill your brain cells and make you crazy.
A lighter can burn down a building in a matter of minutes and kill a person in seconds and it would be slow painful death. If you try to burn down a building that could kill you and everyone in that building so that would be worse then killing just one with a gun or knife.
Stolen items could be kept in lockers also and can be found if a school official or police would search every now and then. The person who stole the item could get in trouble and then the whole situation would get better. The child who got stolen from would get the item back, and the kid that stole it would get in trouble and most likely wouldn't’t steel anything again.
In conclusion, drugs, weapons and stolen items can be kept in lockers. This problem with these things can be fixed if school officials can look through lockers. These problems are serious and shouldn't’t be ignored.Posted by: amairsYes. Schools should check the backpacks and lockers of students because it will keep others safe from physical threats
Schools should check lockers and backpack because it would cause less lock -downs and protect others from people who could do damage or harm other people. It gives a lot of students a sigh of relief that they are in a place where they are safe and they do not need to worry about their safety. Parents will feel more safe about letting their children go to public school instead of worrying because of these stats. It will give children more knowledge for social conversations in the future.
Posted by: cornchipluverYes schools should have a right to check a student's backpack.
Schools have a right to search a student's backpack because they have the authority and for safety purposes as well. If a school has to check a students backpack it should be a situation where the search is for safety purposes. At my school, I witnessed the vice principal searching a students backpack because of a suspicion of possession of drugs. Luckily, the student was caught because he had marijuana in his backpack and if schools weren't allowed to search a student's backpack, the student would have gotten away with possession of drugs.
Posted by: alt21Yes, Its not their locker
Schools should be able to search students lockers, because it's the schools locker that they pay for to be put in. Students only use it for that year. Unless the student buys the locker the school has every right to search the locker especially if they have a probable cause.
Posted by: AnonymousAbsolutely, if they have reasonable grounds.
Teachers and principals should have the right to search students, only when they strongly believe that the student has something that could potentially harm them, or others. This is so because, it is the responsibility of the faculty members of the school to ensure the safety of all the students who attend, and this can only be done if the teachers and principals search the students who are believed to have controlled substances and/or weapons on school property. In addition, because the lockers do not belong to the students, and are school property, the school would not be invading their privacy, which is similar to the school physically searching the student, as the students are the responsibility of the school, and the main function of schools is to provide children with a safe environment to learn. For example, if a student comes to school looking and acting as if they are under the influence of alcohol, then the school has reasonable grounds for searching the student.
Posted by: AnonymousRandom checks could make the school a lot safer.
Yes, because the students might be carrying drugs or loaded weapons to school, which can be very harmful. If the students know that the school officials will be checking their locker or backpack then they can take out anything that shouldn't be in there, that's why the search should be random.
If there has been a bullying problem with one of the people at the school you might go through their locker or that of the person that they are bullying, because the bully might have slipped notes into the victim's locker. This will cause a much bigger deal and will help you with who is punished and how they should be punished. I hope that many schools take this into consideration and start proceeding with this so our schools can be a lot safer and will be kept under control.Posted by: AnonymousWith a good reason
Teachers and administrators should only be able to search students' backpacks if they have a good reason to do so. For example, if a student comes into school looking high, a teacher has a good reason to search his backpack. But without a reason, it is an invasion of a student's privacy. Lockers however, should be searched often. Lockers are school property and administrators have the right to search them. They do not belong to the student. If the student has something personal (not necesarily bad) he or she should keep it in his or her backpack.
Posted by: AnonymousIt makes the school environment safer.
At school, students have less privacy anyways. Students might have stolen/ dangerous/ illegal items in their belongings and that might put people into risk. But they should have a good reason to search a student's belongings. Plus, it might hold evidence from an old court case that has been 'dropped'.
Posted by: AnonymousIt would keep all schools safer.
I think that all schools should be able to conduct random locker and backpack checks because it would keep students from smuggling bad things into school like weapons, drugs, medicine, and other contraband. It would make school a better and safer learning environment for everyone. Teachers don't always know when someone is getting bullied, but if you had locker checks you would be able to put a stop to the bullying before it got severe. Conducting random locker checks would make a better environment for everyone.
Posted by: AnonymousObligation to Protect
School have an obligation to protect those in their care. If they have reasonable cause to suspect that a student may be bringing something to school that could be harmful to themselves or others, student safety outweighs student privacy. If they did have a suspicion and didn't search, I'm sure they'd be held liable.
Posted by: AnonymousMost definitely!
Columbine School Shootings of 1999. If the school administration or security had checked the bag for weapons, then that incident wouldn't have happened. If someone bears cigarettes to smoke or something, not only does that student's lung get damaged and the air get polluted, but passive smoke is VERY unhealthy. It is dangerous and damages the internal organs of that person who wasn't even smoking but only inhaled the smoke! Students feel more secure when backpack checks do occur, because you'd rather be safe than sorry. The locker's aren't even the student's property. It's the school's and it's a privilege give to the student that is not to be taken for granted. Sure, you have a right to bear arms and it's an invasion of privacy, but even the possibility of endangering someone else's life is horrible! Adults should be teaching their children to not do unethical things, but they are not. It was their responsibility but now with the way parents are raising their kids, they don't seem to be taking things seriously. They need to keep a tight rein on their child and be involved in their life at school. There should be more of a family life at home! So I'm a teenager and I think the random (so none can prepare for them) locker and backpack checks should happen!
Posted by: AnonymousYes!
They should, after the Sandy Hook Elementary incident. This could make staff and students feel safer. In addition, the local police could be on standby if anyone had an unauthorized piece of property that is not allowed at schools or if there is an incident of someone carrying a weapon.
Posted by: kittykat01Locker searches increase school safety.
The National Education Association Health Information Network collects and publishes statistics on school safety issues. According to the organization's website, 3,523 students were expelled for bringing guns to school in the 1998-99 school years. Between the years 1994 and 1999, 253 students died as a result of school violence. Firearms were used in 60 percent of the assaults. More than 135,000 guns are carried to school on a daily basis according to the National School Boards Association (NSBA). The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that in 2005, 8 percent of students reported being threatened with a gun, knife or other weapon on school grounds.
A school's safety policy usually allows for random locker searches. During random searches, lockers are opened and the contents searched by authorized school staff. A locker may be singled out for search if school officials have reason to believe there is contraband inside.
The right to privacy is often used as an argument against random or targeted locker searches. In the case of New Jersey v. T.L.O., reported in the article Surveillance in Schools: Safety vs. Personal Privacy, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools "do not need a warrant or probable cause" to search a locker but "merely a reasonable suspicion." Other court rulings have decided that school locker searches do not violate students' Fourth Amendment rights. Using drug-sniffing dogs to search lockers for drugs is also legal.
Locker searches increase school safety. They provide a way for schools to control the amount of illegal contraband that comes onto school grounds. Random locker searches provide a beneficial diversion tactic. Students are far less likely to bring harmful items to school if there is a good chance they will be caught, also there is absolutely no reason to be afraid of locker searches if they have nothing to hide.Posted by: AnonymousIf there is a valid reason
then of course teachers should have the right to check lockers and backpacks. Say something goes missing and a student is a suspect of stealing the said item, searching their area is extremely important. Better yet, say there is word of that student having a threatening object in their lockers; making sure that object is out of the students possession is essential to the schools safety. Airports have permission to check private property for the safety of hundreds of other people, schools are at the same obligation. Teachers aren't out to destroy students, and don't have the primary goal to embarrass their students.. besides, aren't teacher supposed to take on the role of parents during school hours?
Posted by: AnonymousWith a good reason
Teachers and administrators should only be able to search students' backpacks if they have a good reason to do so. For example, if a student comes into school looking high, a teacher has a good reason to search his backpack. But without a reason, it is an invasion of a student's privacy. Lockers however, should be searched often. Lockers are school property and administrators have the right to search them. They do not belong to the student. If the student has something personal (not necesarily bad) he or she should keep it in his or her backpack.
Posted by: AnonymousHeck ya!
Many kids have died because of this. How many more people are going to die before we do something to stop/prevent it. I honestly thing that this generation aren't being taught the boundaries. If we want it fixed their needs to be consequences for these kids who pass the boundaries. Overall our kids will be safer and just because we check their backpack doesn't mean we are taking their privacy.
Posted by: AnonymousThe lockers do not belong to the students.
It is very simple. The locker does not belong to the student, and those checks are only there to ensure the safety of all the students within in school.
Posted by: AnonymousLockers
Schools should be allowed to check belongings. If something was in a backpack that is "discriminating" it should not be on the campus
Posted by: AnonymousSearches need to be conditional
Yes, but it depends. Only after gaining concrete reasons to believe that a student s in possession of something that will pose a threat to the safety of others. Such as someone seeing then with a weapon or more obviously, placing the weapon inside the locker or backpack. Then I believe it's acceptable
Posted by: Anonymousabsolutely
if we cant check a childs locker and their is reason to believe the child has something, then you arent doing your job as a teacher or administrator in keeping the kids of the school safe.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, because school safety reasons.
Someone could get hurt or injured because some other kid brought a weapon to school. That's why I think that the schools should check students backpacks and lockers, and even if its the persons personal belongings then still check there backpacks just in case someone could get killed. That is why the schools everywhere in the world should check the students backpacks and lockers at least once or twice a week so that nobody gets killed or everyday of the week if you really need to.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
When students are on school property, the school teachers and staff are responsible for the safety of the students. This is a number one priority and the school rules are made keep students safe. Students' social lives are not a top priority. In terms of privacy, if the students have nothing to hide, then what is the problem. If they are hiding something that is embarrassing, then the school staff should know about it, once again, for safety reasons.
Posted by: AnonymousIf teachers or administrators feel it's necessary for the safety of the students it should be allowed.
If someone at school is rumored to have guns or any kind of weapons, schools should be able to check the lockers of those suspected students. I think it's necessary for the safety of the school.
Posted by: AnonymousIt should be allowed, if required and justified.
If security reasons require it, with due notice it should be allowed.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat an odd question...
Really, it depends on the circumstances, and schools can be very lax in identifying what constitutes probable cause. You shouldn't start digging in a student's backpack because "he might have a bomb, you never know", but if you have a really good reason to believe that someone is going to do something that is bad, then a school would be justified in checking backpacks. About lockers: Schools seem to justify the lockers being their property when it suits them to randomly search them, but they somehow refuse to take any responsibility for when people jimmy them and steal the contents.
Posted by: AlwaysMoreThanYouYes they should
It is the schools property once you are on it, therefore anything in the locker is the schools right to check. Bags are a little different because it is your own stuff. Either way though, the school should have the right to check their own property and anything on it.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, they should be allowed.
You never know what a student could be carrying. They could be carrying a gun or a knife. Before in my school I had a kid in my school class say she had a knife in her bag and she threatened to hurt him really bad it was really scary. I think it is a very good idea to search back packs and lockers.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat's the big deal for having your backpacks checked.
If you think its a invasion of privacy, well then what else would you be carrying in a backpack other than books. You really shouldn't be carrying anything else. It would be a simple check, and I guess some schools should force this law and some really shouldn't. It depends on the school.
Posted by: Anonymous
Schools shouldn't check student belongings
If people go to school is because they want to learn and be better. People in schools are not criminals that need to be check all the time. Schools need to explain the rules and make sure that all students follow them.
Posted by: AnonymousNo more locker checking. Lockers should be private.
They are not our parents so they do not get to check our stuff. Our stuff is exactly that--our stuff, not theirs. We need to be trusted. Teachers should leave the backpack and locker checking to our parents. They are not our parents and they do not have the right to touch our stuff but our parents do!!!!
Posted by: Anonymousno
no because it is an invasion of privacy and the kid may feel harrassed and embarresd it is only ok if the the teachers think the kid is carrying a weapon or drugs. would teachers like it if student went through their belogings? no, so why would they do it to us if they know its wrong
Posted by: AnonymousNo, would teachers like it if students check on their personal belongings or look through their office?
Teachers should not check students backpacks or lockers because, it invades privacy and teachers wouldn't like it if students check their bags or personal belongings. It's like having a stranger walking into your house one day and started looking through your bedroom. Looking through a student's backpack or locker can lead them to being a bully.
Posted by: Anonymousno
because as a student or a girl for example may have personal belongings in their back pack or locker that may cause discrimation or embarrassment from others
Posted by: AnonymousNo.
While lockers are school property and can be searched at their discretion, searching backpacks is an invasion of privacy and it should not be allowed in any sense. The argument on the other side is valid but the cost to privacy is greater than the reward. This could lead to more steps toward invasion of privacy.
Posted by: AnonymousSchools shouldn't check students backpacks or lockers.
Schools shouldn't check students backpacks or lockers. Schools should't be able to because that is just invading someone's privacy. They might just trying to protect children from being harmed by the by the bad things some kids bring to school but its just not right. Kids might have personal things in their backpacks or lockes that they don't anyone to see. Instead of going through their stuff they should just only let them bring the things that they need for school or get metal detectors so the students can't bring thing like guns or knives to school. school should be a safe place but going through people's backpacks or lockers is just wrong. Schools shouldn't be able to check students backpacks or lockers.
Posted by: AnonymousI would feel less safe knowing people can come in and look in my personal items when ever they want.
It's not fair, if teachers can look through your stuff, you should be able to look through theirs. When is the last time you ever heard of a student looking through a teachers PERSONAL items? YOU HAVEN'T, AND IF YOU HAVE, WHAT HAPPENED? YOU GOT SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED! It's understandable if they're thinking there's a weapon, but knowing someone can just say oh! I think this person has drugs in their locker, and they get checked, how do you have privacy? It's not okay. If something like this ever happens and they're wrong, what you do is tell them to stay here for a witness and tell them I'm only letting a cop check my things which is a law. You must get a cop if someone tells you to. Then right before the cop checks, say if there is nothing in here I'm taking you to court and they will be sued, because it's a guarantee that you will win. But if you know you have something, don't do that.
Posted by: natalieounglovesyouThis should not be happening!!!!!!
Children have lives too! Do they really want strangers that you only know as a teacher searching your locker. It's like searching a kids room or searching their private e-mail.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, But to a certain extent
My school forces you to open your bag so they can check it for like guns and drugs. I think its wrong they make every student do it. They lock all the doors to inside the school except one and that's where there's a giant line. They have no probable cause for checking 90% of the bags. If its lockers i think they can cause its school property. Some teachers I know if your phone buzzes in class they confiscate it and I think that's okay but they have no right to look through your texts or pictures. If they confiscate your phone just press the lock button and have a passcode on it and if they ask for the passcode don't give it to them its unlawful search and seizure.
Posted by: AnonymousSchools shouldn't check students backpacks or lockers
Is not right to check the belongings of the students because its an invasion of privacy. People should trust the students to make the right choices, even though there's times students prove not to be the most trustworthy of beings, they have the right to keep some certain things to themselves.
Posted by: AnonymousViolation of Privacy
I agree that lockers in the school are the legal property of that school and should therefore be searched at the schools discretion. However, I believe that searching of the backpack is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Allowing school teachers and administrators, as well as cops, to search backpacks without consent is the definition of taking advantage of a minor. Many of the minors in school are not aware of their right to refuse an unreasonable search. Also, these searches - like vehicle searches on a traffic stop - should be completely justified and well noted for any consequent legal issues. Searching a child's backpack without their consent is teaching children to willfully abandon their rights. Even if the child has an empty backpack, an unjustified and unallowed search is a direct violation of US Citizen given right, and should therefore not be allowed.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, they shouldn't.
No, they should not be able to go through kids' stuff because they need to feel like they're safe and people are not going to steal stuff. It's so not okay to go through a child's stuff over the age of 12, if you don't still ... Then they should be allowed to be independent, you should feel comfortable ... Out of school, had me burn (literally) my diary because of things that she did not agree with. .... With all of you people who decided to rummage through your kids stuff.
Posted by: AnonymousThey shouldn't be allowed
Remember, this is your stuff they're going through, and they have no right to do that. What if you had something special in your backpack, or something that looked "Dangerous". Your stuff is your stuff. Even if they have proof, it's your stuff, and they shouldn't be rumuging through it
Posted by: AnonymousThis is stupid
Kids have the right to their privacy. Would you like if it a teacher went through your personal stuff! Might as well check all the kids texts, thoughts, and feelings. If people think they have the right to go through stuff, then they are just plain stupid. This is ridiculous.
Posted by: AnonymousFreedom of classification
If the school has the right to search your backpack without legal notice or a warrant then that is in violation of your personal rights as an American citizen. Also if they search your backpack and find an iPod in your backpack then if school policy says that they can take away electronics then they wouldn't have known if you had it or if you didn't if they weren't allowed to.
Posted by: AnonymousTeachers shouldn't be allowed to check students backpacks/lockers.
First of all, if teachers suspect something they do not have the privilege to check our stuff. If you haven't seen, police HAVE to have a search warrant to search since it is private property. Since the schools don't produce our backpacks, and we have to buy them and its with us 24/7. Therefore, it's also considered to be our property no matter what. It is saying if a student had a phone and you got it taken away, and the administration office or teachers could look through it without our consent it just wrong. We absolutely don't go looking through their things we have respect for them and they should have the same respect for us. We are minors and if you are willing to look through our stuff you should at least have out guardian present. Also, we do have the right to argue if we don't want teachers to search our backpacks/lockers. If they harass you or threaten you to show them you can tell someone cause your harassing a minor.
Posted by: AnonymousNot the back packs.
The teachers can look through the lockers because the locker is school property, but they can not look through our back packs because we bought them with our own money therefore making it our property. Even if on school grounds the back pack is still your property. If in a locker then the teachers would have to take it out and look through the locker not the back pack only the locker.
Posted by: AnonymousThis should not be allowed!
Teachers have personal items that no one needs to know about and so do students. This is just invading a person's privacy. I myself would not let anyone see my items even if they weren't personal. They need to mind their own business. To anyone who thinks that so and so has this in their bag and we need to take it away, no. This is so inappropriate to be doing. I would not let anyone go into my bag. Some people just want to know what people have in their pockets or bags. This is unacceptable. This is so stupid and the teachers are just as private as the students. No one should ever go in a person's bag, even if they know that person very well. This should not be going on in any schools. Everyone was a student once and this goes for even people that were in home school.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, because what if they go into and want to look at your personal stuff and that is not acceptable.
The reason why the teachers should not check your backpack or your lockers is because what if you have something very valuable in there and you don't want it to break or you don't want other people to know that you have it in there? What if you have personal and private things that you don't want them to see and it is only between you and your parents? The schools probably shouldn't even check your backpack at all. Then there could always be a reason why the schools should check your backpack or locker just in case if you have a weapon that you brought to school and that could kill everybody instantly.
Posted by: AnonymousNO
Privacy is one of the main and voluble ethnicities of life that every one owns. If the school doesn’t have permission from the students to open their lockers, then they have no absolute right to access, and search them. It’s an Invasion of privacy, very disrespectful to the students, and it’s the student’s property and ownership which gives them their own responsibility. In my opinion, I believe that teenagers have some rights what of what to bring to school and what to not, and as part of responsibility, I believe that it is not safe for one’s locker to be opened by someone that does not own the key to it.
Posted by: AnonymousNo they shouldn't be allowed!
they need privacy and they have a social life and when do people want their lockers searched.
Posted by: AnonymousNo teachers shouldn't invade privacy of students!
4th amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Students hate these things so STOP! It is invasion of privacy, and people don't like it when other people go through their stuff!!!Posted by: AnonymousNot at all I have reasons.
Well first it takes away students personal privacy, which a lot of people had said. Another reason is there could be many misunderstandings. For example they might carry like a knife to school to use it for protection at the bus stop. If someone is about to get hurt they can use that to protect themselves. They should not perform locker or book bag checks.
Posted by: Anonymous•Absolutely not! You are invading OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY!! Learn to trust us, the students, the people that PAY for EDUCATION, not STUPID locker checks!!
Hey teachers! Listen up... There is absolutely no reason for you to be searching through ANYONES lockers or backpacks. Go check the 4th amendment! Would you like it if us students were searching through YOUR stuff? Of couse not, and we don't want you to be going that to us. WE HATE IT! Take my advice and everyone elses too! STOP. STOP. STOP! This should be ILLEGAL because you are clearly breaking the 4th amendment. This is what I have to say. Take it in consideration. Seriously.
Posted by: AnonymousSchools should not check students backpacks or lockers.
Schools should not check students backpacks or lockers for 4 reasons: 1. Students are minors and parents or guardians should be notified is there allowed to get search even with a reasonable or suspected cause. 2. We are at school by requirement until were 18 and its basically were forced. 3. We have rights for a reason. 4. When checking lockers or back packs and they can't find anything there should be a complaint cause there was waste of class time and embarrassment or better yet harassment on the student.
Posted by: understandno.
The reason teachers shouldn’t be able to go through students lockers or backpacks is because adults should be teaching their children how to be respectful, have responsibilities, and trust. If more parents and adults did a better job of teaching their children responsibility and good judgment, the kids would be less likely to act irresponsibly, which would reduce the reasons for kids to be guilty of hiding things in their backpacks. If parents want their children to be trustworthy, then adults should be showing them how to deal with situations and trusting people.
Posted by: AnonymousNo!
While I understand that students have limited rights, I believe that without just cause, students have the right to refuse their personal belongings be searched. By searching a students backpack you are invading their privacy, breaking their trust and cause them to feel embarrassed and uneasy...Is that how students should be feeling in school?
Posted by: AnonymousNo one should check book bags or lockers.
Children these days may be tempted to do drugs or have items they shouldn't but I know from experience as a child that checking shouldn't be allowed. Students need their privacy and checking their bags and lockers isn't giving them any. Teachers are very quick to judge what they may see. If a student has a pack of gum for instance, it doesn't mean that they are going to stick it under a desk. If a student has their phone, it may mean they need it after school; it doesn't mean they will use it in class.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is unacceptable!
Children should not have to go through this. It is their items that people would be going through. Also the 4th Amendment states that people shall not be violated. Also think of this, imagine that you were little and you were going to school. When you arrive you have to go and get everything taken out of your backpack. You would feel unsafe. Also it would be embarrassing if they were to take something out that was personal or private to the child. Also while they are searching, something very valuable might break and that won't be good. Those are all the ways that I am AGAINST locker and backpack check ups.
Posted by: AnonymousNo! I'd feel less safe!
If people searched my personal items I would actually feel less safe. It'd make me feel as if there really is a threat to my safety. Also it IS my property they are searching through and would be breaking the 4th amendment. By doing this, you will be teaching your student not to trust anyone or even there own school, which is supposed to be a safe, secure place.
Posted by: AnonymousNo.
Those checks would violate privacy, the Fourth Amendment of the US, and it's unjustified. You wouldn't like it if I searched your belongings without your consent, now would you? It's unfair to the students at hand and it's fairly embarrassing to find some personal necessaries in someone's locker/backpack as well.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
It is unconstitutional for teachers to search backpacks and lockers. One of the amendments prohibits anyone from searching another citizens locker without a search warrant. Search warrant are given to people who have a good explanation for searching through a citizens property. I am in high school and I do not want teachers going through my personal property even though I have nothing to hide.
Posted by: AnonymousStudent's have rights just as citizens!
If schools have probable cause, they should be allowed to search lockers of students currently enrolled. By placing items in a locker you place them in school property. However, under the fourth amendment, students have the right to be “secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” and this right “shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This amendment gives American citizens the right to be searched only in the instance that an officer of the law either has a warrant, or proven probable cause to believe you are violating the law. Some schools have mandatory backpack checks for every student. This is completely unconstitutional and violates the student’s rights. Teachers, principals, and other faculty are not officers of the law, so they are unable to get a warrant and are out of their authority. And if teachers are behaving in such a way, how are students and parents supposed to trust their judgement on probable cause? Students also have the right to a safe environment, and searches can help. But this responsibility should be left to the authorities, not a suspicious administrator who is breaking the law by violating their student’s fourth amendment rights.
Posted by: AnonymousTeachers should not be able to search students property without student consent
Students should be responsible for their own items, they know the consequences of being caught with, weapons, narcotics etc. If they are willing to take the risk than so be it. It is an ivasion of privacy. Students might have private things they do not want teachers and staff to see, and there is a possibility that they might damage it. Students and teachers should be able to trust eachother. If they cannot trust eachother than it ruins and weakend the student/teacher relationship.
Posted by: AnonymousNO WAY!
Searching students lockers and backpasks isnt the right thing to do. It may ensure safety but it sure does invade your privacy! Doing this also wastes time that students can be using to learn. After all thats the reason you come to school not to be harassed by people evading your privacy. Teachers should be able to trust students. only when they have a whole lot of proof or evedince that a student may have a weapon should teachers go into our stuff. otherwise they should just put metal detectors in our lockers. this method makes students feel violated, disrespected, embarrased or uneasy. School should be a safe environment. Ask yourself which one is more important, Safety or privacy?
Posted by: Anonymous4th amendment
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.
You do need a warrant. No matter where you are in the united states. You can search them with probable cause, but you cant be walking and have a officer take your bag and check it without a warrant.Posted by: AnonymousIt is an invasion of privacy.
I think it's an invasion if privacy to go through a students personal items such as their locker or their purse/backpack. They should only be allowed if they have perfect evidence that there needs to be a search of their locker or backpack/purse during school hours. Invasion of our privacy.
Posted by: AnonymousNo.
It invades privacy. I feel like it shouldn't be done. Many kids have private things in their backpacks. I do understand that many feel like that it should be done, but not everyone has guns on them. Students should at least be informed if the schools did start randomized backpack searching.
Posted by: AnonymousSchools should not randomly check students backpacks and/or lockers!
Students need privacy! They could have very personal belongings that they don't want other people to see. Backpacks and lockers should only be checked when the student is a suspect. Otherwise it's just mean and an invasion of privacy! It would be like random people looking in your dresser at home, or your mail.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, but to a certain extent.
Coming from a student growing up in these maddening and neurotic times, I feel that having backpacks and lockers checked is a definite violation of prirvacy, unless proven otherwise. That being said, if a student has shown suspicion of carrying a weapon, drugs, etc., then a teacher should bring up the concern with faculty, and make the decision from there. But random inspection of students things would only further provoke the pupil, and make him or her become hostile.
So, in conclusion, no, schools should not be checking anyones personal things such as backpacks and lockers.Posted by: AnonymousNo way, that's not right!
Students have lockers to keep personal belongings in, and if schools check lockers students won't feel as safe to keep their things in their lockers and will have to carry them with them everywhere. Students should have at least one place where they feel comfortable to keep their things in and not worry about teachers checking their lockers and snooping around.
Posted by: AnonymousLockers should be private
Our fourth amendment states that all citizens of the united state have a right to be secure in there persons, house, papers, and effects against and unreasonable searches and seizures. To go and search a students locker with no reasonable suspicion of the rules being broken is a violation of their rights. When students are given a locker, they are given a secure place to keep their personal and educational items. Nobody should be able to go through there property. There's a reason there's a lock.
Posted by: Anonymous