The research question was "What dress norms and related rationales are found in teacher dress policies?" Data were 102 school employee handbooks. Eighty-two handbooks (80.4%) provided one or more rationale, most frequently being "To project a positive image in the community" (n = 56). Dress norms, categorized as broad and itemized, were determined…

This study used role theory to analyze dress codes for teachers to discern what dress items expressed role embracement and role distance. Inductive content analysis of teacher dress codes in 103 U.S. K-12 school handbooks revealed three categories of dress: (a) conventional dress (mentioned in 97.1% of the dress codes); (b) casual dress (mentioned…

The purpose of this study was to explore teacher dress in United States schools as presented in the newspaper. Twenty-nine articles were examined to answer three questions. Results revealed: (a) the newspaper provided four contexts for processing information about teacher dress--roles, control, impression management, and educational learning…

The purpose of this article is to explain how a means/ends test can be adapted for the school environment. Public school officials can use a means/ends test to document an analysis of whether dress-code policies will be effective in diminishing risks to the health, safety, or morality of the school population. Elements of policy evaluation--ends,…

This research examined news reports in order to identify incidents that precipitated dress code revisions. News reports were examined within the framework of rules for civil behavior. Using key words "school dress codes" and "violence," LEXIS/NEXIS was used to access 104 articles from 44 U.S. newspapers from December 3, 2004 to December 2, 2005.…

Analyzed and compared dress and appearance codes from 154 secondary school handbooks. Unacceptable dress and appearance was listed more frequently that acceptable or required dress; concerns about health, safety, and modesty were reflected; and 80 percent included a statement that dress should not be disruptive to the educational process.…

Through dress codes, schools establish rules governing student appearance. This study examined stated rationales for dress and appearance codes in secondary school handbooks; 182 handbooks were received. Of 150 handbooks containing a rationale, 117 related dress and appearance regulations to students' right to a non-disruptive educational…

This study identifies and evaluates sanctions for dress code violations in secondary school handbooks. Sanctions, or consequences for breaking rules, vary along seven interrelated dimensions: source, formality, retribution, obtrusiveness, magnitude, severity, and pervasiveness. A content analysis of handbooks from 155 public secondary schools…

This study examined high school student handbooks for evidence that school administrators consider dress codes as one strategy to address the physical and psychological security of students. "Physical" security refers to freedom from actual harm to the body. "Psychological security refers to freedom from implied threats to personal well-being.…