School dress code is a controversial issue that has caused classroom conflict for years. The student handbook states the general rules regarding what attire is considered modest or immodest, but the procedures for how teachers go about dress coding are more ambiguous.

There are no concrete rules for teachers to follow when approaching dress code situations, other than that the student must be sent to the office. Math teacher Sarah Aitken explained, “They give us the handbook just like they do with the students, and that’s about it.” It is at the teacher’s discretion to decide how they would like to go about confronting a student. Therefore, each teacher has adopted a different method of approaching a violation.

Many students feel that some teachers’ methods of confrontation are inappropriate. Senior Layna Baker said,  “[A staff member] dress coded me for wearing a dress that showed my shoulders. She actually shamed me, telling me it was so inappropriate.”

There are many accounts similar to Baker’s, such as Senior Tia Walker who felt that she was also treated with a lack of respect; “I was told I needed to look ‘decent’ for school, and I just feel that the situation could have been handled better.”

However, many teachers have adopted respectful and effective strategies such as English teacher Mara Schultz. “I personally like to pull students out in the hall to dress code them,” explained Schultz, “that way I don’t put them in an embarrassing situation or leave it open for confrontation in front of others.” There are a multitude of teachers who have enacted courteous strategies as Schultz has, and students are thankful to be treated fairly.

Although there are no specific behavioral procedures in fine print, Principal Dan Serrano suggests that teachers are expected to, and generally do, go about it in a manner that avoids conflict.  “…some teachers call and say ‘can you check so-and-so, and some go to the office. Some don’t like to even deal with it, but they’re supposed to…send the kid up.” The expectations of the teachers is to get the student to the office where they are given school-provided clothing to change into and wear throughout the duration of the day.

Perhaps any disrupt between students and teachers could be solved with a more in-depth discussion regarding how to dress code a student, or a set of guidelines to ensure that the student does not feel embarrassed or disrespected. Dress coding is not something either party takes pleasure in, but it is important that it is approached in a manner that contributes to the positive environment at school.