Graduation Ceremonies

The First Amendment Center has a very good summary of the EC and Free Speech issues concerning prayer at public school graduation ceremonies. It is worth a look.

With respect to valedictorian speeches, much depends upon how much control the school maintains over the content of the speech. The more control the school maintains over the content of the "student speech" (such as a requirement that the student submit a draft of the speech to school authorities for approval), the more likely it is that the EC will prevail over the student's free speech rights. However, if the school policy makes clear that the valedictorian's remarks are his or hers alone (remember the value of a disclaimer on this point), the more likely it is that the EC will not interfere with the free speech rights of the student speaker.