Supreme Court Decides in Strip Search Case

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Education Policy and Improving K-12 Education

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in an 8-1 decision that the strip search of an Arizona teen was unconstitutional.

The court determined that the strip search was not warranted to look for prescription strength ibuprofen. The 13-year-old student was found not to be hiding the pills, despite the search.

The entire story is located here. It's important to note that the court has previously recognized the need to search lockers, backpacks, or purses. It's the degree of the search here that went over the line.

Have you read the ruling? What are your opinions on it?

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Parent Replies to "Supreme Court Decides in Strip Search Case"

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healthy11,

I can definitely see that as a form of retaliation as well. This case started as one where a boy was sick supposedly from taking pills, a girl was found with pills that she then claimed she got from the claimant. After searching her backpack, then they sought a strip search.

To me, the minute they realized the accused girl didn't have anything in her backpack, they should have gone back to the girl who was carrying the pills, and not harassed a girl that no one else had claimed was involved.

I would have even been ok with calling the parents in and deciding what to do next, but there was no reason to perform such a search.

My understanding was that another student "reported" the girl had drugs. Without a clear ruling against strip searches, I can imagine bullies at that school who wanted to embarass other kids would be making completely unfounded "reports" all the time.

I feel the same way. As a parent, I would know (I hope) that I could trust my child, and I would know what I gave my child in the morning.

This issue is especially tough for girls. And schools want a doctor's note for every medication being brought to school. But, to play devil's advocate, some kids bring things to school that look harmless (like a Tic-Tac), but are really drugs. I guess schools are trying to be on the safe side of things as much as they can be.

I agree, MSMomm,

If this had been about a weapon or something serious, I'd understand the necessity, but this was about Advil.

I've never been comfortable with the idea that teens can't take regular OTC meds for pain or colds without fear of being expelled. Teen girls shouldn't have to go to the nurse with cramps. I realize this was for a possibly prescription strength, but that's the equivalent of 4 Advil in one tab, which is far less than most adults carry daily.

I would agree that the strip-search of this 13 year-old girl was uncalled for. And, the principal made the girl wait in the office for several hours after the strip search, which was also uncalled for.

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