Supporting Student Walk-outs

During the past few days, students at a number of our middle and high schools have exercised their First Amendment rights by organizing and conducting walk-outs in protest of immigration enforcement activities. Walk-outs have occurred in districts across Texas. Here in the capital city, we are fortunate that our students can bring their concerns directly to the seat of state power. We have been proud to see their sincere attempts to advocate and engage their elected representatives. In doing so, students have been taking actions and experiencing learning consistent with secondary-level TEKS in History and Government, including participation in the political process and citizen movements to bring about change.

When schools become aware of these student-organized protests, they inform families about students’ activities and plans as much as possible, and parents may make their own decisions about whether their children participate. The ACPTA Board affirms students’ freedom of speech and recognizes peaceful civic expression as a vital part of our democracy. We commend the students participating in walk-outs for the executive skills, coordination, and motivation they are demonstrating by organizing and engaging in a complex political event. These actions reflect young people thoughtfully exercising their voices, a right recognized in the United States and Texas Constitutions and upheld by the Supreme Court. We support students’ right to be heard and to stand with their classmates, and families' right to choose how their children engage. We hope these actions create opportunities for ongoing conversation in homes and within our communities.