Following a growing number of student walkouts held throughout the state, an addition to the Kansas Senate bill 315 attempts to restrict students’ First Amendment rights to protest during school hours. The bill, which has been passed due to the Kansas House and Senate overriding Governor Laura Kelly’s veto, requires parents to excuse students for such activities and would impose penalties on districts supporting walkouts.
Senior Meera Lala, who has participated in multiple walkouts, said the bill goes against what teachers are trying to inform students of. She said that it is illogical to push activism on students just to confine it.
“We’re doing it from what they want us to learn in school,” Lala said. “They teach us to speak out and be active, but then they restrict it.”
In support of student participation, science teacher Julie Schwarting said that students need to have a larger voice in these situations. Schwarting said that it is important for students to learn how to participate in a democracy, and walkouts are an accessible way to do so.
Due to the widespread awareness of the bill, Lala said students may become fearful of participating. However, she said she hopes they don’t feel discouraged and continue to walk out.
“I would love that they want to do more, but I think they might be scared…I would hope that people would be stronger now,” Lala said.
Senior Laila Lewis, who advocates for students’ protesting rights, said that the bill is not going to slow her down. She said that, if anything, it will make more students want to protest and walk out.
“For sure, it’s not gonna stop. I mean, we have freedom of speech and freedom of press, like what we’re doing now, and it’s not gonna stop 100,000 people from protesting,” Lewis said.
Since January 2026, Free State and Lawrence High School students have worked in tandem to create and participate in three separate walkouts. These events have gained support from other community members, but have also caused some students to face pushback due to their participation.
Schwarting said that student walkouts are important to hold because they reflect the current events in our society. She said that sometimes these issues can be more influential than a lesson taught in school.
“Current events in the world are way more important to honor than a lesson plan that sometimes is as old as time,” Schwarting said. “This is the world we’re living in. If it needs to be done now, it needs to be done.”
