Public education advocate Justin Oakley says Indiana leaders are putting teachers in a difficult position with new restrictions on classroom speech. He noted that Attorney General Todd Rokita recently sent schools a 14-page letter citing case law to argue that teachers have limited First Amendment protections, though other case law suggests the opposite.
Oakley cautioned that telling teachers they have “no right” to speak can backfire and create confusion. He recalled cases of teachers leaving the profession or avoiding current events altogether—one resigned after calling January 6 “an act of domestic terrorism,” while others stopped teaching about current events out of fear.
He also pointed out the difference between K-12 and higher education, where tenured professors may have greater protections. Oakley said most teachers aren’t trying to stir controversy, but some worry about unclear boundaries.
As for the wider response, Oakley said teachers are primarily focused on teaching their subjects, but restrictions and political attacks have left many questioning what they can safely say in class. He added that avoiding or stepping away from social media might help reduce problems.
The interview runs 18 minutes.
