Courts will support school boards' dress codes if based on needs rather than opinions. Courts have affirmed that minors have constitutional rights. Hair length, clothing style, and beards may be protected by students' right to freedom of expression. Codes must be carefully written and consistent with schools' legitimate goals. (PB)

Arguments concerning the length of a kindergarten boy's hair pointed up flaws in the handling of what should have been a routine administrative exercise. The incident forced a rigid law-and-order stance on administrators and board members of the Pasadena Independent School District in Pasadena, Texas. (Author/MLF)

In 1969 the Supreme Court, in "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District," established the right of students to freedom of expression in school unless the exercise of that right would materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline or collide with the rights of others in the school.…

Cleveland, Ohio, Public Schools acknowledged the negative impact of gangs on the education environment by creating a gang intervention and prevention team. Advises school districts on signs to watch for, steps staff can take, and how to tell the press. Stresses publishing and reinforcing rules in a student handbook and conducting training programs…

In this article, the author focuses on the issue involving zero tolerance in the Texas district whether the dress code policy is reasonable. In a small Texas school district, over 700 students were suspended in a single month for violating a zero-tolerance dress code policy. This suspension, which attracted national attention and threats of…

This report discusses various types of student codes, presents the need for such codes, outlines court challenges of these codes, and provides guidelines for drafting codes. Sample codes in the packet include citywide codes from eight cities, four Statewide policy statements, and selected model codes. (JF)

Any restrictions on student dress must have a legitimate educational rationale. Standards of attire for school employees are also permissible. A dress-code policy that calls for reasonable restrictions and is enforced with common sense can create a better school environment. Restrictive measures can lead to costly lawsuits. Cites advantages of…

Clothing is a primary form of gang-member identification. School boards that seek to revise dress-code policy on gang attire need to make certain they can justify their steps so that students' right to freedom of expression and the need for a safe school environment can coexist. Reviews five court cases and offers guidelines. (MLF)

In "Castorina," the Sixth Circuit reversed a lower court ruling that had dismissed a suit by two high school students challenging their suspension for wearing T-shirts adorned with the Confederate flag. Reviews three Supreme Court decisions about the regulation of student expression. Concludes that a consensus for the regulation of…

To aid Oregon's school districts in developing policies and procedures for student conduct and discipline, this document suggests guidelines for district preparation and distribution of student conduct codes, including formal and informal student assembly, dress and grooming, use of motor vehicles, search and seizure, attendance, freedom of…

Examines whether schools can or should restrict gang clothing and how to restrict gang clothing without infringing on students' constitutional rights. Concludes that a policy that stresses the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning is more likely to be found legal than a policy restricting gang communication via limitations on…

Addresses the authority of school officials to regulate student dress by examining school dress codes, first with respect to communicative dress--or dress that communicates speech--and then with respect to noncommunicative dress. Provides a summary of the law on dress codes and a basic set of rules to assist school officials in drafting…

Discusses the extent to which public recreation programs can regulate attire which many people might consider offensive, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court states that school boards have the authority to decide what constitutes appropriate behavior and dress in public schools. One case involving a student who wanted to wear a Marilyn Manson…

Public school uniforms are a recent development. Legal trends suggest that the courts are willing to defer to school authorities regarding dress codes--provided a clear link is established between the dress regulations and furtherance of the educational mission. Lists a range of options for a dress-code policy and how each of the available options…