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

School Dress Code Debates, Explained
What are they, who do they serve, and do they need to be changed?
Education Opinion The Case for School Uniforms
Young people don't always possess the judgment to know what is proper attire.
Walt Gardner, June 23, 2014
1 min read
Law & Courts News in Brief Federal Court Questions Uniforms with Mottos
A federal appeals court has cast legal doubt on a Nevada district's uniform policy, holding that requiring students to wear shirts with the motto "Tomorrow's Leaders" is a form of compelled speech that implicates the First Amendment.
Mark Walsh, February 25, 2014
1 min read
Education 9th Circuit Casts Doubt on Policy Requiring School Uniform With Motto
A federal appeals court cast legal doubt on a Nevada school district's uniform policy, holding that requiring students to wear shirts with a leadership motto is a form of compelled speech.
Mark Walsh, February 14, 2014
2 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Most Sports Apparel Banned Under Oklahoma City Dress Code
A dress code controversy sparked by a kindergartener has prompted the Oklahoma City public school system to re-think its policy.
Bryan Toporek, August 22, 2012
1 min read
States Hitching Up Pants Could Become Mandatory in Volunteer State
Tennessee is considering "baggy pants" legislation that could make it the latest state to adopt a law prohibiting students from exposing their underwear.
Andrew Ujifusa, March 30, 2012
2 min read
School & District Management Report Roundup Research Report: School Uniforms
School uniforms have some benefits, but appear to have little effect on student behavior and achievement, a report concludes.
Alexandra Rice, August 29, 2011
1 min read
School & District Management Report Roundup Research Report: School Uniforms
While urban schools that require uniforms tend to have fewer instances of behavior problems, such policies appear to be less effective in high schools than they are in elementary and middle schools.
Debra Viadero, November 16, 2010
1 min read
Education Court Backs American Indian Student's Long Hair
A federal appeals court has ruled that a Texas school district violated the religious rights of an American Indian student when it sought to restrict how he wore his long, braided hair.
Mark Walsh, July 11, 2010
2 min read
Education Justices Decline Appeal on Student T-Shirts
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a student's challenge to a Texas school district's dress code that prohibits most messages on student shirts, including political slogans.
Mark Walsh, January 11, 2010
3 min read
Education Dress for Success
Hobo Teacher, not mincing words, says teachers should have dress codes─for their own good.
Anthony Rebora, October 5, 2009
1 min read
Education Court Backs School's Restrictions on T-Shirt Messages
A federal appeals court has ruled that a Texas school district's dress code that prohibits most messages on student shirts, including political slogans, is likely consitutional.
Mark Walsh, August 14, 2009
1 min read
Education Justices Refuse to Hear Appeal on School Uniform Protest
The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear the appeal of an Arkansas school district over students' black-armband protests against a school uniform policy.
Mark Walsh, March 2, 2009
1 min read
Law & Courts U.S. Appeals Court Backs District’s Rules on School Uniforms
Ruling upholds Las Vegas district's policy of letting each school decide whether it will require students to wear uniforms.
Mark Walsh, May 15, 2008
3 min read
Education 9th Circuit Upholds School Uniform Policy
A federal appeals court today upheld a school district's mandatory school uniform policy in the face of a multi-pronged First Amendment challenge.
Mark Walsh, May 12, 2008
1 min read