Is it legal for my teacher to force me to send a letter?
Asked by Liam
One of our assignments is to write a letter to a favorite teacher for Teacher Appreciation week. This is annoying, but perfectly acceptable. What I object to is the fact that she is grading us on whether or not we allow her to send the letters. Legally, can I refuse to send the letter? (Without failing, of course) I live in Vermont, USA if anyone knows the state laws.

Best Answer:
Liam, that's an excellent question. Can you refuse? Absolutely. Will you fail? Likely. Will you be able to reverse the decision? Possibly, but at great expense of your time and well being. You will have to fight the administration who is unlikely to side with a young man who chooses not send a thank you letter to a favorite teacher. Whether it is legal or not will be difficult or impossible to prove. I doubt the ACLU will jump on your case to protect you from sending a thank you letter to your favorite teacher against your will. If it were a letter to God thanking Him for all the great things he does for you I'd say get on the phone right now. A thank you letter for a favorite teacher? That's annoying but pretty benign. A grade by most measures is something handed out for academic performance, or lack of it. In this case there is nothing academic about writing a letter to a favorite teacher which is why I think you are so annoyed. It's an arbitrary use of power on the teacher's part to ask you to participate in communication with someone outside the classroom by holding your grade point average hostage. While I don't disagree with you, and in fact strongly agree, let's explore the bigger picture. Your teacher, like most in this country, is likely overworked and underpaid. I would bet her intentions are to use what power she has, giving grades, to try and do something positive for her fellow teachers. It could also be that by grading you on whether she can send them or not will force you to say something positive and take the assignment seriously instead of being a jokester and writing something sarcastic for the assignment. While you're asking for legal advice to help guide your decision I think you need to take a step back and focus on the political and social stipulations of the situation and dig deeper into your teacher's motivations. As a student you have the right to speak out but it can come at a high cost. Standing up for your principles almost always comes at a high cost, but if your grades are important to you it might be in your interest to comply. Rather than aggravate and alienate your teacher by refusing to send a thank you letter to a former teacher I'd suggest you roll with this and get your A and move on. If you're still really unhappy about this try talking to the teacher 1 to 1 after class. Don't do it in front of the class or go over her head. That will make her dig in and force her to defend her position. Instead ask her privately about the assignment and let her know you're not comfortable being forced to send a letter. Tell her the reasons why (which should not be because you think it's stupid) and see if she can grade you without having to send it. See if she's willing to work with you. Discretion is the better part of valor. I think you are right to chaff at her request, but I also think you should save the legal battle for a bigger fight. You might also want to consider a career in law after college. You get to sort these things out for a living!

Just mail the letter and get the grade..Why is it that big of a deal
Answered by Jessie D

You can refuse but you will fail the class and there's nothing that you can do about it. It's part of that class assignments.
Answered by Christopher

You are a student in a classroom. Do what your teacher says and get the heck over it.
Answered by sisterchristian5

Sure you just get 0
Answered by IRISH Wigger

I believe she can legally mark you down for not sending the letter. Its not a bizarre assignment.
Answered by Matthew M

Yes, You can and do it
Answered by Cyrus H

I think ethically it's a bunch of crap. If you don't want it to be sent, let her know you are uncomfortable with it. If she still says that she's grading you on whether or not you allow her to send it, go talk to your principal and tell them you have no problem writing the letter, but you would prefer it stay private. It should be your choice cause that's kind of a personal thing.
Answered by Tiff

this is a talk to your prents question................every country, state and city have different laws.......
Answered by richard t

One might see a small amount of irony in the fact your teacher is forcing you to appreciate teachers... As for legality? Sorry cant help you on that one...
Answered by Jazmy

legally you do not have to send a letter to anyone ..unless that is your only means of Communication relating to someones well being/safety/security etc.. understand? but if you want the grade grit your teeth and send the letter..it doesn't have to be a nice one does it ? lol
Answered by Rilissa...!

I don't see it so much as a legal issue, but more of a school matter. The school would most likely back her up. Maybe it's a test of your social/moral values. Are you willing to give credit where it's due. Are you objecting to showing positive reinforcement. That sort of thing. Personally I think it falls into a grey area as far as school being there to provide knowledge and grade that knowledge. This is ethical stuff. If it was me, I would go ahead and write some good stuff about my favorite teacher (or at least the best of the bunch) and sign it with a pen name, an alias. And send it.
Answered by Sukotash

i agree that You are a student in a classroom. Do what your teacher says and get the heck over it.
Answered by Hina

if it is part of the assignment then you will fail for not doin it but that is all she can do
Answered by double t

yes it is legal.. That is why she is doing it. If it wasn't she wouldnt do it. but my teacher is making us do the same thing. but it's for extra credit though.
Answered by brinagurl05