To determine if Kansas scholastic journalism programs were being allowed to practice First Amendment rights as determined by federal court decisions since 1968, a study analyzed 177 questionnaires completed by principals, faculty advisers, and student editors at 75 randomly selected public high schools having student newspapers. Survey results included these findings: (1) larger school newspapers had broader content than did the smaller schools; (2) student newspaper editors were not allowed to exercise their First Amendment rights to make the newspaper a true forum for student expression; (3) most school newspapers did not publish irresponsible content, but most had inadequately covered content areas; (4) most respondents lacked knowledge on scholastic press law; and (5) most newspapers operated without written content guidelines. Recommendations based largely on these findings included that newspaper editors and faculty advisers should be encouraged to broaden newspaper content to include social, political, and nonschool issues affecting students; student editors should be given more control over newspaper content; school officials and students should develop written newspaper content guidelines; and school officials should encourage responsible newspapers by providing needed resources, including a competent, knowledgeable faculty advisor. (Author/MM)