Code of Conduct: Section 13 - Hair and Dress

The dress code at CASD has been the source of a lot of contentious discussions. We think this portion of the Code of Conduct deserves some meaningful scrutiny and would benefit from revisions. There are two main portions - first, the uniform dress code that applies to students PK-8, and second, the broader dress code that applies to all students, but specifically is used to govern dress of students at the high school campus.

Let's start with some philosophical discussions of student dress and a little history on CASD's adoption of its current dress codes.

Uniform Dress - Grade PK-8

Within the past decade, as the district was taking feedback from parents about their decision to move students to charter schools, one topic that came up was school uniforms. Some vocal parents indicated a desire to have uniforms in CASD as a way to reduce bullying and the appearance of socioeconomic disparity, as well as to hopefully reduce discipline and behavior problems. Community and parent feedback were considered and a uniform dress code was piloted at Friendship Elementary School, grades K-5. After what was viewed as a successful pilot, the code was copied at the other elementary schools, and as years went on, extended to the middle school as students aged with the mandate.

Some of the expected benefits of school uniforms are that they create a sense of school community, a culture focused on learning, and support equality. The complaints about school uniforms are that the students don't like wearing them, they restrict individuality, are expensive, are unflattering, and don't comply with current fashion. Additional complaints we have heard from parents is that they don't hold up as well, they require students to have two sets of clothing - one for school and one for outside of school, and they may not meet comfort needs.

Most importantly, the code has been inconsistently enforced. At the middle school level, school stores and clubs/sports teams sell spirit wear included hooded sweatshirts. Students wear these regularly and some are disciplined for wearing hoods while others are not. The code notes that jeans are permitted, but students have been disciplined for wearing jeans to school as part of their uniform dress code. Different schools have taken different approaches to girls wearing leggings or yoga pants, with some allowing them and some taking disciplinary action for them. Here are more details from the uniform dress code as well as parent feedback on the code:

§ 13 Hair and Dress. (pg21) 

1.  Each elementary and middle school have the following uniform dress code. Students are required to wear black or tan bottoms (ieans [SIC] within the colors is permitted) and polo tops (collared shirt) of red, white, or black or a combination thereof. Crew neck sweatshirts within the school colors is permitted. However, sweatshirts and jackets/coats warn [SIC] throughout the day should not have a hood attached. Gym clothes must be within the colors of the school uniform.

·         Jeans is spelled (ieans) above.  That should be fixed.

·         Color options for shirts; grey was added to our color scheme this year and grey is not in the color scheme stated.

·         There is nothing about ripped jeans yet I know students have gotten detention at Scott for ripped jeans.

·         "Sweatshirts and jackets/coats worn throughout the day should not have a hood attached." It seems to me that "should" could be interpreted differently. Either they CAN or CANNOT wears hoods.  Instead of saying it this way, how about you change the wording to say what you are actually trying to say.  As long as their hood isn't up during the day, it’s fine!   Then make a consequence for if the students do not comply. We also need to consider that much of our spirit wear is hoodies.

There are not consequences laid out in the code of conduct if a student does not comply.  Here is what CASD had before this administration.

·         Failure to comply with the dress code will result in the following progressive disciplinary action being taken:

First Offense: Student’s Parent Contacted

Second Offense: Detention with Mandatory Parent Conference

Third Offense: 2 Day Suspension

Fourth Offense: 5 Day Suspension & Administrative Review Team Hearing

Commentary from Lyryn Yacoe, an elementary school parent:
We should really consider eliminating the entire uniform policy. I can tell you as a mother of 4 boy’s Khakis are not conducive to an active little boy’s life.  During the 2018-2019 school year, I spent a TON of money on Khaki’s because of my boys who would draw, poke holes, slide on the grass and mud and just destroy their pants in a matter of days!

It would be amazing if the district would do a district-wide survey on what the community actually thinks about the “uniforms”.  I would really encourage the district to look at what parents spend when a rule like this is enforced.  With our demographics, this is NOT affordable for many in Coatesville.  I ask that you take a good look at the dress code and even considered removing school uniforms all together. I am happy to help create a survey for the district to administer.

Uniform Dress - Grades 9-12

CASD used to have a more specific dress code for those students not required to wear uniforms, but this code was simplified and made more gender-neutral during the revision to the Code of Conduct over the past few years. Although the code has changed to one that is more inclusive and allows both young men and women more freedom in how they dress, the code being enforced in the schools appears to be the one prior to the change, which focused in many areas on the way that young women were required to cover their bodies. The new code provides very few safety rules excluding gang or drug/alcohol references in clothing, restricts unsafe items that could be used as a weapon, and requires clothing that covers certain parts of the body - through the exclusion of crop tops, muscle shirts, and shirts with spaghetti straps.

Gender-neutral dress codes, like the one adopted in the current code, are considered inclusive and help reduce gender and racial discrimination, and removal of young women and students of color from the classroom for clothing that does not disrupt the educational process. However, there are still some areas for improvement in the code. Good policies do not discriminate against any student on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other aspect of an individual’s identity. Therefore, rules prohibiting hijabs, natural Black hairstyles, or long hair for boys are inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of the dress code. Dress codes should allow students the most choice possible in a way that neither creates a hostile environment nor restricts their individuality and allow students to wear the same clothing regardless of their gender.

§ 13 Hair and Dress. (pg21) 

a.Students have the right to govern the length or style of their hair, including facial hair. Any limitation of this right must include evidence that length or style of hair causes disruption of the educational process or constitutes a health or safety hazard. When length or style of the hair presents a health or safety hazard, some type of covering shall be Used. 

b.Students may be required to wear  certain types of clothing while participating in physical education classes, shops, extracurricular activities or other situations when special attire may be required to insure the health or safety of the student 

c.Students  have  the  responsibility  to  keep  themselves,  their  clothes  and  their  hair clean. School officials may impose limitations on student participation in the regular instructional program when there is evidence that the lack of cleanliness constitutes a health hazard. 

d.Notwithstanding  anything  in  this  Code  to  the  contrary,  rules  prohibiting  certain dress do not apply to such dress as worn pursuant to religious belief, unless the dress presents a safety danger to a specific activity (such as loose clothing around mechanical equipment used by the student) or where the activity requires the wearing of specific clothing, such as a team sport.  

e.Specific Rules.

1. Special Events.In the cases of special ceremonies, concerts,dances, etc., the  Principal  has  the  right  to  establish  standards  of  dress  for special  school  related  events, including,  but  not  limited  to,  Graduation Ceremonies,Music  Concerts,  Induction  Ceremonies, Award Ceremonies, and other school related functions.
2. Certain Specific Items.Students may not wear muscle shirts, spiked collars, spiked bracelets, spiked belts, long metal chains, or other potentially dangerous articles. At School.Students may not wear clothing with the midriff is visible or clothing with only spaghetti straps. 
3. Head covering, Clothing, And Expensive Personal Items.The wearing of head coverings by students of either sex,including sweat bands while indoors is prohibited. This includes all interior areas of school building such as classrooms, corridors,auditoriums, offices, etc., during school related events, as well as during the school day.Exceptions will be granted for medical reasons or as part of a religious practice.
4. Buttons and Badges.In addition, buttons, badges, patches, shirts, jackets, hats  or  other  articles  displaying  messages referring  to  alcohol,  drugs,  sex,  gangs or a  cult  are prohibited.
5. Footwear.Students are prohibited from wearing flip-flops and sliders [SIC].
6. General Procedures.Generally, students violating the dress code will be sent to an administrator. Students will be sent home after parental contact or the parent must bring in  a  change  of  clothes.  Continued  violation  of  the  Student Dress  &  Grooming  Policy  will  be regarded as insubordination and the student may be suspended.
7. Expensive  Clothing  or  Articles.Students  are  discouraged  from  bringing expensive  personal  property  i.e.,  electronic  devices  to school  or  wearing  expensive  clothing  or jewelry. The School District shall not be responsible for the loss or theft of any such items.

Parent feedback from high school parent, Liz Muirhead:

Unfortunately, what's happened with enforcement has not been as progressive as the code itself. Students have repeatedly been excluded from class or given detentions based on the amount of holes in their jeans, the length of their shorts, or the width of straps on a top that does not have spaghetti straps - using an artificial 3" width requirement that is not in the code. The enforcement also appears to target girls and students of color more frequently, or that target girls with certain body types. Students have tested this by sharing an item that was determined to be inappropriate for school with a friend, and see if that student also received discipline. In most circumstances, they did not. It's time to stop pretending that normal student clothing disrupts the educational process. What is actually a disruption is when students are removed from class for wearing normal clothing that is compliant with the dress code. Read more about this issue here.

At the same time, we've heard repeatedly about the challenges of getting students to attend class regularly. Yet students who are there to learn and focused on their education are being removed from class and missing instructional time for supposed infractions that are not in the dress code. Students should be empowered to wear clothing that is comfortable for them and helps them learn. They should not be removed from the classroom for dress code violations, especially when such violations are not even in the code and being applied based on teacher or administrator discretion. 

Also, students expressed concern about areas of the code that are not clear or unfair. They note that the head covering restriction in #3 unfairly targets students of color or others with textured hair. This item also contradicts item #1 where certain hairstyles require a covering. Insomuch as head coverings are normal, culturally acceptable items, they should be permitted in school and not restricted as done so here. Also, students note that they have been disciplined for wearing Slides. The code refers to and restricts wearing "sliders." Students do not realize that the code is attempting to reference slides. If there truly is a concern that slides pose a safety issue, this should be explained and the shoe type should be referenced accurately.

A great model code I would love to see CASD use is here, but we need to not just adopt the code, but also need to enforce the code we adopt. Let's put together a clear and fair code, and ensure all teachers and administrators know what is restricted so students are not unfairly excluded from class: https://www.pps.net/Page/5888

Remember to come tonight!