School Dress Codes

What's the Policy?

No issue in education is of greater concern than student behavior or discipline. In the wake of the Columbine High School shootings in 1999, in which the killers dressed in "Goth" or "trench-coat Mafia" outfits, came a rash of suspensions across the nation over inappropriate dress.

One of the leading school policy options in this arena is the adoption of school uniforms. Currently, 20 percent of the nation's school districts use uniforms, although most of these districts have a voluntary school uniform policy.

 In addition, many schools enforce a dress code. For example, some schools may forbid students to wear clothing that advertises alcohol and tobacco products. In 2001, many schools adopted restrictions on girls' clothing, as extremely low-slung jeans became fashionable.

How Does It Affect Teachers?

The way students conduct themselves in school is of intense interest to everyone, including parents, administrators, and teachers. Many schools such as those in Long Beach, Calif., which has had a very successful uniform policy for years, attribute dramatic declines in school violence and misbehavior to uniforms. If students are not distracted by their own or others' clothing or misbehavior, they and their teachers are able to spend more time on the teaching and learning tasks that are central to education.

In schools without uniforms, teachers may find themselves responsible for interpreting and enforcing the specifics of a general dress code. If they do not handle violations effectively, teachers could create even more distraction than the student who wears the inappropriate clothing.

What Are the Pros?

Proponents say that school uniforms offer a concrete and visible means of restoring order and discipline to the schools. Instead of kids fighting one another over designer jackets or the latest hot sneaker or creating an economic pecking order based on who can afford the "in" clothing, there is greater economic equality because everyone wears the same clothes.

Also, requiring dress codes or uniforms for public school students appeals to an intuitive belief that increased structure will improve students' behavior, attitudes, and learning. In this country, school uniforms are associated with private and Catholic schools, which are perceived to be more orderly and safe and offer a better learning environment than public schools. Similarly, a clear dress code can offer a sense of structure to students that will allow them to concentrate on matters other than their clothing.

What Are the Cons?

Those opposing school uniforms see this policy as un-American, attempting to stifle children's individuality and sense of distinctiveness and, perhaps even depriving them of their rights. Opponents of uniforms also point out that research results are mixed. One recent study of 5,000 tenth graders, for example, found that "sophomores in schools requiring uniforms were no less likely than their more casually dressed peers to fight, smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs, or otherwise get in trouble in schools."*

Dress codes create problems too, especially those that are vague or unevenly enforced. Students and teachers may expend energy dealing with clothing issues that could be more productively used.

What Do You Think?

1. Have you had any firsthand experience teaching or observing students who are required to wear school uniforms? If so, what did you observe?
2. Do you favor a school wide uniform policy? Why or why not?
3. How would you, as a teacher, go about approaching a student who was violating the school's dress code?

*David Brunsma and Kerry Rockquemore  Journal of Educational Research, American Educational Research Association: Washington, DC,  September/October , 1998. 

Sources: Jessica Portner, "Schools Ratchet Up the Rules on Student Clothing, Threat," Education Week, May 12, 1999; Debra Viadero, "Uniform Findings," Teacher Magazine on the Web (January, 1999). Available at: http://www.edweek.org/tm/.

For more information on the current status of dress code policies, visit these web sites, then reflect on the questions that follow.

Dress Codes and Social Chaos

http://www.edweek.org/ew/newstory.cfm?slug=18northrop.h21=%22school%20uniforms%22

This 2002 article from Education Week argues that school dress codes are a juggling act, but worth retaining to help students keep their focus on academic work.

Battle Flag T-Shirts Divide Georgia School

http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=09confederate.h22

This 2002 article from Education Week spotlights some of the difficulties in developing and enforcing dress codes by examining controversy at one school over clothing that features the Confederate battle flag.

Disagreeing Over Dress

http://www.asbj.com/2001/01/0101schoollaw.html

This 2001 article from the American School Board Journal reviews a recent Supreme Court action related to school dress codes, and suggests that defining a dress code is a legally challenging task.

School Uniforms

http://ericir.syr.edu/cgi-bin/print.cgi/Resources/Educational_Management/Dress_Codes/School_Uniforms.html

This is a collection of links from ERIC to sites with information and varying viewpoints about school uniforms and dress codes.

Pauline's School Uniform and Dress Codes Page

http://www.geocities.com/hardingpj/uniforms.html

This page contains links to many arguments and opinions on the issues of dress codes and uniforms, as well as a host of other uniform-related information and a "fashion gallery" of photos.

For Further Reflection:

1. How would you craft a dress code that balances the generality needed to adheres to legal rulings and changing fashions with the specifics needed to effectively guide students?
2. Are the benefits of a dress code worth the difficulties of establishing and enforcing it? Why or why not?
3. What are appropriate guidelines for teacher's clothing?