School Dress Codes

School dress codes are rules about what students can wear. They are set by school administrators and school officials. They have become a hot topic in the world of law, civil rights, and education. School dress codes touch on topics like gender identity and sexual orientation. They also touch on ethnicity and freedom of expression.

School boards are generally allowed to create and enforce dress code programs. They must do so without violating the constitutional rights of students. This article addresses laws regarding school dress codes.

School Dress Code Laws

In most public school districts, administrators have the power to set a school uniform policy or other dress code. This power comes from a 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case. This case, Tinker v. Des Moines School District, involved several high school students who wore black armbands to school. This was part of a planned protest against the Vietnam War.

The court ruled that school officials could limit student expression (like what students wear) if they could show that it causes a “substantial disruption" in the school. But here's the catch: these policies must also follow federal law, like the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment protects free speech. The court ruled that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."

Today, most states have laws allowing school boards to make dress code rules for students. School boards do this to promote a safe, disciplined school environment. They also create these rules to prevent interference with schoolwork and discipline. They also encourage uniformity of student dress. For example, dress codes may prohibit clothing featuring vulgar or obscene content. In contrast, dress codes censoring student expression just because educators do not like the message are not allowed.

Dress Code Policies vs. Freedom of Speech

Not all speech is protected in a school setting. Some clothes may be prohibited if they draw attention away from the learning environment.

Therefore, dress code limits have included the following:

• Limits on 'gang-related' clothing, sometimes described as over-sized clothing and other clothing meant to show affiliation with a certain gang or group, such as certain colors, logos, brand names, or arrangement
• Ban on suggestively themed t-shirts, such as Marilyn Manson t-shirts
• Only wearing school colors
• Limits on skirt, shirt, and pant length
• Ban on clothing that depicts lewd, sexually explicit, or indecent drug use
• Seasonal clothing restrictions, such as midriff limits and lower backs not exposed in hot weather
• "Baggy pants" restrictions, prohibiting students from wearing clothing exposing underwear or body parts in a way that is indecent or vulgar

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization dedicated to defending civil liberties, argues that some school dress codes go too far. They say that when schools limit hairstyles or hair length (like telling boys they can't have long hair), they might be violating students' right to free expression. For instance, these policies could unfairly target black students who wear their hair in natural styles. Or they might limit the ability of transgender students to express their identity.

It's not just the ACLU that is concerned. The U.S. Department of Education has said that school dress codes must respect students' rights to express their sexual orientation and gender identity. That means that if a school has a policy that only allows girls to wear dresses to prom, they might be in trouble if a female student wants to wear a tuxedo instead.

Freedom of Religion Issues

Freedom of religion is a crucial issue. For example, some students might need to wear certain coverings, like hijabs or turbans, as part of their faith. These coverings might not fit into a school's dress code policy. If a school does not allow for religious exceptions, it could be violating students' civil rights. The federal law is clear about this: schools must make room for students' religious beliefs.

Below are situations where dress codes have been challenged on religious freedom grounds:

• Suspension of a Muslim girl for wearing a head scarf
• Ban on cross necklaces
• Bans on wearing traditional dress (such as feather or tribal cloth) to graduation
• Ban on wearing non-U.S. flag necklaces
• Ban on rosaries
• Boys required to cut their hair to comply with a campus dress code

While there can be dress limits to provide a safe learning environment, school dress codes, in most cases, cannot be used to prevent students from expressing their religious beliefs. Both the Constitution and most state laws protect students' rights to wear religious attire in schools. This includes wearing a turban, yarmulke, or head scarf.

Title IX Considerations

Title IX is a federal law that plays a crucial role in shaping dress codes. This law, passed in 1972, prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions receiving federal funding. This applies not just to sports but also to dress codes. For example, a policy requiring different hair lengths for men and women could violate Title IX. This is an example of a policy that discriminates based on sex. Similarly, a school could be in violation of Title IX if its dress code punishes a transgender student for dressing according to their identified gender.

In essence, Title IX ensures all students are given equal opportunities and treated with respect. Therefore, dress codes must be crafted carefully to ensure they do not infringe on these protections under Title IX.

What Schools Can Do

While it may seem like a tricky issue, there are ways schools can create dress codes that respect students' rights. The key is balance. Schools can avoid legal issues by creating policies that minimize the potential for substantial disruption while also respecting the diversity of students' gender identities, religious beliefs, and ethnicities. Schools should seek input from students, parents, and community members when making these policies.

Generally, schools have the right to create rules that provide an effective public school education for their students. Both students and staff of primary, elementary, middle school, and high school campuses have the right to be safe and secure in their persons. This means that school dress codes may include methods that further the goals of a learning institution and prevent violent or abusive behavior.

What You Can Do

Students and parents should get a copy of your school's dress code policy. This allows you to get an understanding of what may or may not be acceptable clothing at school. For questions on whether the policy infringes on your constitutional rights, you may wish to consult with an education attorney in your area who can advise you of the laws in your state.

As a student, you have the right to express your opinions and identities. If you believe your school's dress code policy is unfair, you have options. You can bring your concerns to the school administrators or the school board. Sometimes, students have taken legal action to challenge dress codes.

Getting Legal Help With Challenging Dress Codes

If you believe a school dress code has violated your rights, you should get legal help. Organizations like the ACLU have resources and can sometimes provide legal support. Remember, everyone has the right to free speech, free expression, and education without discrimination. This is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

Seek help from an education attorney to discuss your case today.