School Dress Codes Worth the Work?

Garland Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, is battling students and parents over the enforcement of a new dress code. Some feel that new policies are not being applied equally to the students. Administrators are wondering if it’s worth the work.

The school fielded questions from parents and students, and most concerns centered on how confusing the new policy was. One girl was sent to the reassignment center (RAC) for wearing spaghetti straps, but the next day another girl wore spaghetti straps and nothing happened. Officials said, “It’s like speeding. We’re not going to catch everyone out there, but when we see it, we’re going to call you on it.”

Principal Wendell Brown placed much of the responsibility with parents. "We as adults have allowed this to get out of hand," he said. "Very few of those kids ... purchase their own clothes. They should never, ever have clothes at home that are inappropriate to wear."