Behavioral Change through Dress Codes

School Administrator, March, 1994 by Kenneth E. Lane, Dennis W. Vanberkum

To curb school violence, school boards in many communities have passed policies restricting certain types of student attire.

These dress codes are being developed primarily to create a safe school environment by limiting gang activity and altercations.

Some codes vaguely address the issue by stating nothing is inherently wrong with dress or color of dress, but when student dress serves to intimidate or impede the rights of other students, the dress violates the policy.

Vaguely written codes prohibit any type of clothing, makeup, or hairstyle that contributes to the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. These codes do not permit apparel with emblems or printing that are obscene, libelous, or slanderous, or that incite students.

Specific dress codes target brand name clothing and attire of pro sports teams by banning such items as the apparel of the Los Angeles Raiders and Los Angeles Kings.

The vagueness or specificity of these dress codes is being challenged.

The courts historically have given administrators considerable latitude to regulate student behavior, short of abridging student rights. Future court decisions likely will require administrators to demonstrate "eminent danger" before a ban on attire is acceptable.

Dress codes not directly related to creating and maintaining safe schools will not be supported. Mere speculation or anticipation of danger probably will not be acceptable to the courts. Administrators walk a fine line between ensuring student rights and school safety.

Administrators need to address the ethnicity and racial composition of the students specifically affected by dress codes. Most gang members are from racial or ethnic minority groups. A dress code may address clothing styles that represent a form of expression or identity and only secondarily are associated with gangs. Such a dress code may discriminate against one group of students.

Another realization is that gang attire is a current fad among many students who have no affiliation with gangs. The dress code limits a form of expression by students. Should student attire that is worn by the general population be prohibited? Policies should not limit student dress based solely upon identification of a brand name or specific sports team.

Administrators should seek to promote behavioral change by involving students associated with gang activities in the decision-making process. These students can help ensure acceptance of the dress code provisions.

Open discussions regarding dress can create an understanding of the relationship between the clothing being banned and student safety. This discussion also should recognize that student dress is a legitimate form of personal expression.

Since the demographics of violence permeate society, any school-based solution will be, at best, only a partial solution. Administrators must involve parents and community people in the process of developing and/or implementing dress codes.

Kenneth Lane is a professor of educational administration at California State University San Bernardino. Dennis VanBerkum is an assistant professor of educational administration at North Dakota State University The authors acknowledge the contributions of Michael D. Richardson of Clemson University and Stanley L. Swartz of California State University San Bernardino.