Dress Codes Are Meant to Create Safe Environments: GAO Says They Don’t
Public school districts across the country require students to abide by specific dress codes. Usually, the districts say the dress code was created for safety reasons. But, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Offices (GAO), there are concerns about how the dress code rules are enforced differently between boy and girl students. For instance, dress codes tend to restrict items worn by girls more frequently than they restrict items that boys wear.
In fact, during a GAO study, they found that most dress codes actually make the school environment less fair and innocent for students. If your child has been punished for violating their dress code, the LLF National Law Firm can help.
GAO Findings Explained
According to the GAO study, nearly 60% of dress codes involve measuring students’ bodies and clothing, which can make students feel uncomfortable and less safe at school – especially girls. Additionally, many public school districts use their dress code to restrict the types of hairstyles or head coverings that students can have, which categorically discriminates against Black and Hispanic students or students in certain religions and cultures.
Another thing the GAO study noticed was that the schools that had dress codes also had higher rates of Black and Hispanic children and were much more likely to discipline students by pulling them from their classrooms – whether for a quick discipline session or for suspension. When students are removed from their classroom for dress code violations, it has a detrimental effect on their overall education.
GAO Recommendations
After conducting this study, the GAO made four recommendations for the Secretary of Education:
- Help schools design dress codes that are more equitable and supportive of an inclusive learning environment.
- Include dress code information in current resources on how schools can be more supportive and safer.
- Provide states with resources on how disciplinary actions should be more equitable in their enforcement.
- Collect information on the number of informal removals and non-exclusionary disciplines that schools commit to and share that information with other districts.
How an Attorney Advisor Can Help
The LLF National Law Firm has spent years helping students defend themselves from unnecessary school punishments – including dress code violations. Students have a right to not only express themselves but to feel safe and supported in their educational environment. Further, students should not be penalized for wearing religious or cultural headwear or because their clothes may make adults uncomfortable.
If your child has been accused of violating their dress code, our attorneys can speak with the school on their behalf. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online. Your child has rights, and our Education Law Team will make sure their school upholds those rights.