As a student, When I turn in a paper, do I still have ownership of it?

Question

Can I request it not be placed into a database?

Any website references?

I am in a Public High School.

Answer 1

This is a good question. I would make a copy of anything you turn in. If the teacher has a policy or habit of putting his student's papers online in the school website or some similar place, then you should tell him explicitly that you do not want your paper being published. If the teacher is getting revenue from the papers he keeps and publishes, then he needs to have the students sign a waiver of their rights to those papers, so that they are informed that any paper submitted in his class become the property of the school.
I believe that it would be a conflict of interest if the teacher is trying to profit off his student's papers. What the teacher does under the terms of his employment usually belongs to the school that employs him. Thus, what the students do under his direction would also belong to the school, not to the teacher. Theoretically, you could take the teacher to court if he profits from your work without your having signed a waiver to your rights.
One of your other respondents correctly identified that in universities, it is common practice for the professor to publish his student's works and take credit for them. Usually the student knows that whatever he produces under the professor's direction will belong to the professor. Once I wrote up the results of an experiment that I conducted under the professor's direction or assignment and signed it. The professor came unglued that I would dare to put my name on my own paper, the results of the experiment that I conducted. It was his prerogative to publish the results of the overall project including any experiments conducted to support the project. I wasn't intending to imply that it was my project, but rather signing my report to him of the results of the experiment. Anyway, some professors take that report signing stuff very seriously.
That should not apply in high school.

Answer 2

nope, your work belongs to the school. If this is a university, you probably signed a student agreement as part of your enrollement.

Answer 3

it's still yours. it's got your name on it. and you can request it not to be used.