<p>I've read the article, but I'm not clear on the circumstances that led to the journal being read (the article says it was "seized" in the girl's art class) by a teacher. Why is it within a teacher's rights to read a student's personal journal? If the student somehow disrupted class because of the journal (writing in it instead of paying attention? gosh, THAT's never happened before), why couldn't the teacher have temporarily confiscated it and returned it later, WITHOUT reading it? If the kid was especially disrespectful, maybe tack on an afternoon in detention or an essay on proper classroom behavior. But a ten-day suspension, reduced from a year-long expulsion? Charges of terrorism? If it had been my kid, we'd have sued before now, and for more than a dollar.</p>
<p>The publicity surrounding the lawsuit would seem to defeat her reasons for suing to have the suspension expunged. I agree, though, that it's not necessarily a bad thing. Adcoms from LACs and unis that are tuned in to free speech issues would probably carefully consider a supplemental essay on the circumstances of the suspension. </p>
<p>SBmom - absolutely right re Stephen King! And what would today's hs administrators make of Shakespeare? Or Aeschylus? Geez.</p>