Student dress codes are controversial school policy in US schools. As dress codes were initially established with the intent to eliminate the appearance of differences among students and mitigate gang violence in schools, legal research has paid extensive attention to the value and constitutionality of these policies. Education research, however,…

The absence of comprehensive educational theory regarding dress codes results in deference to community norms as a way to determine implementation and compliance. Implementing dress codes ultimately results in inconsistent practices and violations of students' rights. To the detriment to student learning, dress codes disproportionately affect…