This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.
Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Education should develop resources for schools on creating equitable dress code policies to reduce subjectivity and exclusionary discipline for violations, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report to be released Tuesday.
- Schools that enforce strict dress codes have statistically significant higher rates of discipline that remove students from the classroom, the report said. Additionally, schools that enforce strict dress codes predominantly enroll Black and Hispanic students.
- GAO is also recommending that the Education Department provide resources to schools, districts and states on equitably enforcing discipline policies, including dress codes.
Dive Insight:
GAO was asked to study school dress codes and discipline policies in a committee report for the House version of the 2021 appropriations bill for the Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments.
House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, and Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-Virginia, had also requested that GAO look into less formal removals from school that aren't documented as suspensions.
In an emailed statement to K-12 Dive, Scott said the report shows that unequal enforcement of dress codes disproportionately impacts girls, students of color, and LGBTQ students — and can lead to unsafe outcomes.
"Additionally, many school districts do not report cases of suspension or expulsion, leaving students unsupervised and without the support they need to get back on track,” Scott said.
Scott said he anticipates forthcoming disciplinary guidance from the Education Department will address the disparities and give districts resources to help all students succeed.
School district officials and national organizations told GAO researchers that determining dress code violations is often left to interpretation and can lead to body shaming and students being embarrassed. In some cases, dress codes that require measuring students’ bodies and clothing may involve adults touching students.
Nearly all K-12 public school districts (about 92%) have a policy on student dress, according to GAO's review of publicly available district dress code policies. Dress codes more frequently restrict items typically worn by girls — such as short skirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, and leggings — than those typically worn by boys — such as muscle shirts.
GAO estimated about 90% of districts prohibit at least one item of clothing typically worn by girls, compared to 68% of districts limiting one type of typical boy clothing.
Researchers reviewed 10 years of discipline data related to dress code violations as well as conducted interviews and other document reviews over the past year. Here are additional findings from the GAO study:
- More than four in five predominantly Black schools and nearly two-thirds of predominantly Hispanic schools enforce a strict dress code, compared to about one-third of predominantly White schools.
- A higher percentage of schools in the South enforce a strict dress code, with just over 70% of schools in the West South Central states enforcing a strict dress code. In contrast, less than 30% of schools in the West North Central states and in New England enforced a strict dress code.
- Most dress codes dictate that students’ clothing must cover specific body parts, applying most frequently to clothing typically worn by girls, such as halter or crop tops. For example, 64% of dress codes prohibit clothing that exposes a student’s midriff.
- About 60% of districts use measurements to determine if student clothing is permitted. But about 93% of dress code policies use phrasing that's open to interpretation with words such as "revealing" and "immodest."
"While school districts often cite safety as the reason for having a dress code,many dress codes include elements that may make the school environment less equitable and safe for students," the report said.
Filed Under: School Models, Policy & Legal
As an education policy expert with a deep understanding of the issues surrounding dress codes in schools, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). My expertise in education policy and my commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment position me well to discuss the implications and recommendations presented in the report.
The GAO report, set to be released, underscores the need for the U.S. Department of Education to develop resources aimed at creating equitable dress code policies in schools. Drawing on extensive research, the report reveals a compelling correlation between strict dress codes and higher rates of discipline that result in the removal of students from the classroom. Importantly, the data indicates that schools with stringent dress codes disproportionately enroll Black and Hispanic students.
One of the key recommendations from the GAO is for the Education Department to provide resources to schools, districts, and states on enforcing discipline policies, specifically addressing dress codes. This aligns with broader efforts to reduce subjectivity and exclusionary practices related to dress code violations.
The report, requested by the House Education and Labor Committee, highlights the concerns raised by Committee Chairman Rep. Bobby Scott and Rep. A. Donald McEachin. Their request stemmed from the 2021 appropriations bill for the Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments. The findings reveal that the unequal enforcement of dress codes has significant consequences, particularly for girls, students of color, and LGBTQ students, potentially leading to unsafe outcomes.
Notably, the report emphasizes the importance of forthcoming disciplinary guidance from the Education Department, which is expected to address these disparities and provide valuable resources to support the success of all students. The GAO's comprehensive study involved a review of 10 years of discipline data related to dress code violations, interviews, and document reviews over the past year.
Key findings from the study include the prevalence of dress codes in approximately 92% of K-12 public school districts, with restrictions disproportionately affecting items typically worn by girls. This includes items such as short skirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, and leggings. The report also highlights the use of measurements and subjective language, such as "revealing" and "immodest," in dress code policies, leading to concerns about interpretation and potential body shaming.
The GAO study further reveals regional disparities, with a higher percentage of schools in the South enforcing strict dress codes compared to other regions. Predominantly Black and Hispanic schools also showed higher rates of enforcing strict dress codes, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach that considers the intersectionality of race and gender in policy implementation.
In conclusion, the GAO report underscores the imperative for the Education Department to take proactive measures in developing resources that promote equitable dress code policies, addressing the root causes of disciplinary disparities in schools. As an expert in education policy, I am committed to advocating for inclusive practices that ensure all students have a safe and supportive learning environment.
