How Do Dress Codes Vary Across Texas? Dress codes, probably one of the most controversial topics amongst Jr high and high school students. We as a society are constantly reminded and aware of the dress codes put on students, from news reports to either being in school or having a child in school. And while some dress codes rules are more lax than others they are important. They keep students in appropriate clothing for a learning environment and keep them from showing things they shouldn't be. But how different are the dress code rules in Texas. All Texas schools have some form of dress code, but they are all different, and depending on where you live may determine how strict or lax your dress code is. To begin with one 2011-2012 …show more content…
Most schools allow polo style golf shirts in any color or the same colors as the pants. And no matter what school you go to in Texas there is a regulation on the length of pants, shorts, and skirts, for both gender. A large majority of the school dress code lists simply stated that pants, shorts, and skirts had to be at an appropriate length, past the knees, not ended before mid-thigh or must be fingertip length. A number of schools have banned one of the most controversial articles of clothing in school, leggings. While some schools have not banned legging or tights yet there are still rules pertaining to them. Schools all across Texas that have yet to ban legging, state that they are an accessory and must be worn under a dress or shorts or must be covered in the front and back with a shirt reaching midthigh. Rules relating to piercings, tattoos,and hair coloring seem to be the same everywhere. No visible piercings on the body excluding earrings. tattoos must be covered within the school, and during schools hours at all times. Hair, one of the second most touched subjects in school dress codes. Some schools do not allow any unnatural hair colorings of any kind, many follow the 25% rule, allowing students to have 25% of their hair and unnatural color (LISD, Dallas ISD, Houston
Life is full of distractions and, for high school students, inappropriate clothing has the potential to grab much attention. However, does the matter of clothing warrant strict rules? I agree that, like alcohol, the students’ attire should have rules regarding whether or not the choices in clothing are suitable for a public school setting. I also agree that violators of school rules should receive punishment for their lack of compliance to the school policies. However, there is a fine line. Some schools, like Carroll High School, are taking dress codes too far. One rule in particular hinders the students’ ability to wear pants with holes in them. It makes sense that holes located in certain places might cause a...
Varying Issues Corresponding to the School Dress Code Shelby A. Scholle Newbury Park High School Abstract Dress code enforces the modest dress of students, preventing bullying and distractions. Numerous people believe clothing is a distraction and when eliminated the school environment is more professional and gives a better education to a student. Authority figures consider the school apparel enforcements are constitutionally sound, not affecting the child’s right to freely express, and providing a professional and working setting causing a better learning environment and decreased amount of bullying due to clear differences in appearance. However, opposers disagree with the restrictive code because of its limitations on individuality causing students to conform, sexist ideas in the form of punishment and how forms of clothing causes a distraction, and influencing rape culture. Costs for an advanced educational environment, positive, and negative effects will be explored within this paper to determine whether or not the dress code is necessary for an advanced learning environment or limiting the student's ability to express themselves.
Dress codes are essential for all schools across America. Dress codes will set the tone for students to be safe because they will help reduce violence, increase student safety, and provide a positive learning environment. Dress codes can reduce violence in many different ways. “The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America’s 85,000 public schools each day.” (Larry Wilder, Pros of the Dress Code, pg. 1) “Some dress codes require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing.”
... Bare midriffs, or bare backs Tights, leggings, bike shorts, swim suits or pajamas as outerwear Visible piercings, Dog collars, tongue rings studs, wallet chains, large hair clips, or chains that connect from one part of the body to another. So to avoid this in my opinion I think all students should wear the uniform because it help prevent gangs from forming on campus , Encourage discipline , help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes , help identify intruders in the school , diminish economic and social barriers between students and increase a sense of belonging and school pride and Improve attendance. So people should come together to make school a more focused on school and work place and not letting students get distracted by other things such as what they’ll wear that day or what will they say if I wear this by making school uniforms mandatory.
Dress code, probably one of the most talked about topics by teenagers. Most teenagers believe that dress code is “witless” or “incompetent”. Why do we think this? Well, most adults believe that keeping a strict dress code keeps us educated because apparently our clothes are “distracting”. Now I can see how wearing booty shorts and a tank top would be distracting, but how is wearing sweatpants distracting? If anything wearing sweatpants keeps us comfortable, because I know that being uncomfortable is way more distracting than wearing sweatpants. When I wear sweatpants I can lay back and relax while the teacher talks, but if I am uncomfortable I am more likely to move around and fidget with my clothes rather than listen to the lesson.
It was official in 2005; the Lima City Schools board of education adopted a new dress code policy. This policy would be used to crack down on the unruly students who refused to follow the already lenient rules. “With a stricter dress code, students will focus more on school than looking at other students, said Suzanne Helm, a Victoria resident.” (Cavazos, 1). Lima City School District, like the Victoria school district located in Texas, spent many hours designing the new dress code policy. This new policy will test if the way students dress effects their behavior and the way that they learn.
One main reason public schools have uniforms / dress code is because in 1996, President Clinton allowed the school uniform movement and said, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” This gave schools the power to control the students with dress code. A few pros about having dress code in public schools are prevention from formation of gangs, identify intruders, resist peer pressure, and take away social barriers. But the cons give more reasons on why not to have dress code. Some are violation of freedom of expression, “Band-Aid” on school violence, bully targets, financial issue for certain families, and difficult to enforce. Dress code can vary from a button down solid polo with a tie, to solid colors, navy / khaki pants, to any polo shirt without offensive print / sayings and unholy jeans. Dress code also can exclude tattoos, baggy clothes, holes, scarves, leggings, strapless garments, and visible piercings (except in ear).
As a result, many local communities are deciding to adopt school uniform policies as part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline. California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia have enacted school uniform regulations. Many large public school systems including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Miami, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, Seattle and St. Louis have schools with either voluntary or mandatory uniform policies, mostly in elementary and middle schools. In addition, many private schools have required uniforms for a number of years. Still other schools have implemented dress codes to encourage a safe environment by prohibiting clothes with certain language or gang colors.
Are students being dress code profiled? That is the question one must ask oneself, because the clothes that an individual wears can definitely play a huge role in the impression others may have on them. When a student hits adolescence, their body starts to go through a variety of changes. They begin to find their inner being and start to become the person they want to be. Often times, pre-teens find this stage of life to be very intimidating. The pre-teen usually experiences this important stage of transformation during the middle school period. This is the stage in life when everything begins to change, their emotions begin to run high because of the chemical and physical changes happening in
They also maintain that clothing alone cannot affect someone's performance in class.” (Brindley and Brosnan). This can be clearly seen when comparing two schools Fort Bend ISD, where the dress code is the same for all schools. According to a report card created by the Texas Education Agency, 1.2% of the students at John Foster Dulles High School dropped out during the year of 2011-2012. This is very low when compared to the dropout rate at George Bush High School, also in Fort Bend ISD. A stunning 2.0% of their students dropped out. This proves once again that dress codes have no positive affect on the performance of students. The schools claim that they add dress codes so that children are not distracted, thus allowing them to perform better, but if the children
Public schools are charged with the “responsibility of educating students” and maintaining an effective and orderly environment conducive to learning (Geddis). Uniforms are capable of an orderly environment. Dress codes have been successfully used throughout the United States to promote school safety and also serve to enhance the learning environment of schools. Every parent would want their child to have a safe learning environment. Parents of children who attend schools with clear dress codes find relief in knowing that not only may clothing costs decrease, but their “child also will be in a safer learning environment” (Geddis). With uniforms, students in the school will act more matured and will not get distracted by
The purpose of the modern educational system is to produce educated, productive, and informed citizens of society. Since students are expected to do more with technology and higher level thinking, distractions in and around the classroom should be kept to a minimum. Most types of educational sites, kindergarten to twelfth grade, have some type of dress standard ranging from school-issued dress code compliance to only enforcing the most vulgar or indecent apparel. Dress codes within educational institutions are considered a hindrance by some and a help by others. The neutral ground may encompass a school dress policy with some freedom in accessories and dress up days.
When children are in elementary school, they do not have to worry about most dress code rules. They can wear shorts that come above their knees and tank tops that are not the length of three fingers. When we reach middle school, teachers make you start wearing shorts that come to your knees and short sleeve shirts. Most children at this age don't really think much of this until they move into the 8th and 9th grade. Dress codes are becoming too strict for students, especially girls.
Choosing what to wear for the day. This is what most students are thinking about when they wake up. Students need the latest fashion in order to fit in, but some clothing may not be acceptable to wear in school. School dress codes are denying students their right to dress how they want, but the dress code is important for the students and their learning. Students are beginning to stand up and want to be heard. Some students are taking action and want the dress code to become less strict but some schools are doing the opposite for safety issues and for the students healthy learning environment. Dress codes are important for a strong and healthy learning environment and is also reducing violence in many schools around the country.
We see stories Social media has more stories of girls being sent home because of dress code violations. Maybe the problem isn’t the students, but dress codes in general. Dress codes ultimately disrupt the pursuit of knowledge for the students, encourage gender bias, and can be dangerous. If we want the younger generations to succeed in the education system, we should utilize school uniforms. Uniforms in schools from elementary to high schools, will promote gender equality and facilitate student safety.