Dress Code/Uniforms

Read more about school dress codes and uniform policies. Do they improve student achievement or school climate? Are they sexist or racist?

Explainer

In this Sept. 7, 2018 photo, students socialize at Grant High School in Portland, Ore., after school let out. Portland Public Schools relaxed its dress code in 2016 after student complaints that the rules unfairly targeted female students and sexualized their fashion choices.
School Dress Code Debates, Explained
What are they, who do they serve, and do they need to be changed?
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De’Andre Arnold, middle, and his mother Sandy, second from right, attended the Academy Awards with the team behind the animated short “Hair Love.”
De’Andre Arnold, middle, and his mother Sandy, second from right, attended the Academy Awards with the team behind the animated short “Hair Love.”
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
School Climate & Safety Why Do Schools Hang On to Discriminatory Dress Codes?
School dress codes are clashing with students, parents, and researchers who see the rules and their enforcement as rife with racism and sexism. Some school leaders say the codes are important for safety and teaching kids to comply.
Christina A. Samuels, March 10, 2020
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10 min read
Education Judge Strikes Down Charter School's Dress Code Requiring Skirts for Girls
A federal district judge holds that the requirement that girls wear skirts and may not wear shorts or pants violates the U.S. Constitution's equal-protection clause.
Mark Walsh, March 29, 2019
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3 min read
Federal Can A Private School Receiving Voucher Money Ban a Student Over Dreadlocks?
The ACLU and NAACP have filed formal civil rights complaints against the school for its dress code policies, another case that highlights the blurring lines in public oversight for private schools that accept state aid in the form of vouchers.
Arianna Prothero, November 30, 2018
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5 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: 'If They're Learning, I Don't Care What They're Wearing'
Here are responses to the question of how to handle school dress codes.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 12, 2018
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14 min read
Education Opinion How Should Schools Handle Student Dress Codes?
The new question-of-the-week is: How should schools handle student dress codes?
Larry Ferlazzo, November 7, 2018
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1 min read
Alameda High School students Henry Mills, left, and Kristen Wong sit together on the school's campus in Alameda, Calif. on Aug. 23, 2018. The city's school system relaxed dress codes to allow midriff-baring shirts and short shorts, among other once-banned items.
Alameda High School students Henry Mills, left, and Kristen Wong sit together on the school's campus in Alameda, Calif. The city's school system relaxed dress codes to allow midriff-baring shirts and short shorts, among other once-banned items.
Jeff Chiu/AP
School & District Management Do School Dress Codes Discriminate Against Girls?
A spate of viral videos is sparking questions about whether school dress code policies unfairly single out girls.
Sasha Jones, August 31, 2018
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6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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School Climate & Safety Opinion When School Rules Are Different for Students of Color
Far too many teachers enforce overly strict school rules at their students’ expense, writes Chicago teacher Gina Caneva.
Gina Caneva, June 6, 2018
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4 min read
Families & the Community News in Brief Student Protest Over Dress Code Leads to Parents' Arrest in Miss.
A protest over the dress code at a Mississippi high school has resulted in the arrest of some parents for trespassing.
The Associated Press, August 29, 2017
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1 min read
Education Opinion Student Attire Is Still Controversial
School officials need to first get parent buy-in if they expect their dress policies to work.
Walt Gardner, June 12, 2017
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1 min read
Education Kentucky School Suspends Policy Banning Cornrows, Twists, and Dreadlocks
The proposal by the Butler High School's local governing board prohibited cornrows, twists, and dreadlocks, and "distracting or attention-getting" hairstyles.
Denisa R. Superville, July 29, 2016
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2 min read
Law & Courts News in Brief Georgia Bill Supports Athletes' Religious Attire
The measure approved last week by the education committee is a swipe at the Georgia High School Association.
The Associated Press, February 9, 2016
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity Teen Boys Wear Dresses to Call for Changes to School Dress Code
Students in California's Clovis Unified School District say the district's dress code violates their classmates' rights.
Evie Blad, February 3, 2016
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3 min read
School Climate & Safety News in Brief School Uniforms Could Earn Fla. Districts More Money
Florida districts could earn money if they make elementary and middle school students wear uniforms.
The Associated Press, March 17, 2015
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1 min read
Teaching Talking About Dress Codes? Avoid 'Pretty Woman'
After using clips from "Pretty Woman" to explain dress code to female students, a North Dakota high school is getting negative feedback from parents and press.
Jordan Moeny, October 3, 2014
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1 min read
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