Two students smiling with cartoon clothes taped over them

Shutterstock.com

Do Schools Need Dress Codes?

November 21, 2022

Some students in Forney, Texas, needed a new wardrobe this fall. Their school district recently banned hoodies, jeans, and T-shirts. Cargo pants, tank tops, and anything with stripes are now off-limits too.

Brooklynn Hollaman is a 10th-grader in Forney. She doesn’t think the new rules are fair. So she started a petition asking the district to change its dress code. More than 6,000 people had signed it as of last month.

Nearly every school has rules about what kids can and can’t wear. Almost 44 percent of U.S. public schools enforce a strict dress code. That’s according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Students who don’t follow the rules might be forced to change their clothes or even get suspended.

Dress code supporters say the guidelines teach kids how to dress for their future jobs. They also think these rules prevent students from wearing clothes that might be distracting in class.

But many people think kids should be free to express themselves through their clothing. They say rules like the ones in Forney are too strict.

Are school dress codes a good idea?

Shutterstock.com

Tank tops, leggings, and ripped jeans are among the most banned clothing in U.S. schools.

Many people say dress codes can be so strict that some kids have to buy new clothes. That could wind up costing a lot of money.

Besides, some people say, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to free speech. That includes your right to express yourself through the clothes you wear and the way you style your hair.

Plus, many kids find it easier to focus when they’re wearing comfortable hoodies and leggings.

Dress codes can be confusing too. Some rules can be interpreted in different ways. One teacher may think a shirt is OK while another teacher doesn’t. That could lead to unfair punishments.

In many schools, students are pulled out of class for not following the dress code. That’s not right, says Scout Richters. She’s a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, a group that fights to protect people’s rights.

“Kids are in school to learn,” she says. “They shouldn’t have to be too concerned about what they’re wearing.”

Shutterstock.com

Nearly 19% of U.S. public schools require kids to wear uniforms.

_{Source: National Center for Education Statistics}

Others say dress codes are a good way to keep order in the classroom. They argue that rules about clothing help ensure that kids focus on learning, not fashion.

Some officials point out that even though the First Amendment gives kids the right to express themselves, there are limits. In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools can ban certain clothing choices. For example, anything that could be distracting or hurtful to others can be banned.

Forney officials say their dress code is meant to prepare kids for the future. When students work, they’ll have to dress professionally.

“There are so many important future workforce skills that we want to [teach] our kids,” Forney superintendent Justin Terry said in a video statement.

In some schools, kids wear uniforms, like collared shirts and khaki pants. Experts say this may cut down on bullying. If kids are wearing similar outfits, no one will be picked on for their clothes.