Should schools ban hats?

Current Events, March 7, 1994

Should it matter whether a student wears a hat in school? Dress codes are not uncommon in U.S. schools (See CE 12.) But some schools are zeroing in on hats.

Pinellas Country, in western Florida, is one example. Hats may not be worn in any public school building there. Hats have been banned at Hartford (Conn.) Public High School for at least 10 years. At Encina High School in California, baseball caps were outlawed two years ago.

Two main reasons are given for the ban. Many educators feel that wearing a hat shows disrespect for a school. And, especially in recent years, hats have often been regarded as symbols of gang membership.

Some students, and few adults, think that the ban is unreasonable. "The hat rule ticks me off," said Troy Henry at Encina High, of an campus ban on hats. "The way people dress isn't about gangs. It's about how they want to express their style." Devora Espstein, head of guidance at Connecticut's Bloomfield High School agrees that hats should not be an issue in school. "I'm concerned about SAT scores and Connecticut Mastery Test scores," she said. "My battles are not with clothing."

But many school administrators insist that a hat ban makes for a more peaceful school. "I don't have the answers, but we have to do something," said Bill Hockerson, principal of Jonas Salk Junior High in California. He said that clothing regulations head off possible school disruptions. "[Hats} telegraph `home boy,' `homegirl' [gang member]," argued Hartford Public principal Amado G. Cruz. "If [students are allowed to wear! hats, then [school discipline will disappear.]"

What do you think? Should hats be banned in school?