Should schools be allowed to censor student publications?

September 23-30, 2006, marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the American Library Association's annual Banned Books Week, when readers, educators, and librarians across the nation come forth in defense of intellectual freedom.

This ritual championing of the First Amendment -- along with the bill passed in California last month that forbids public university officials from censoring student journalists -- raises particular concerns about schoolwide censorship. Some believe student-run publications, such as newspapers, yearbooks, and literary magazines, should be subject to reasonable restrictions by the school they represent. Others, however, argue that student publications should be given the same freedoms afforded to all publications. We're interested in your opinion.