Students and parents should not be alone in the battle of the dress codes. As a teacher, one of your responsibilities is to look out for your students during school and make sure they are comfortable with their classmates. I hope teachers can learn from this site and have more sympathy for the students. What if that was what your daughter or son wore to school? Would you think it's okay? Teacher's should advise students on how to avoid violating dress codes while advocating for students. Here I have included some exercises and/or solutions for teachers to do at their schools.
Voting
I think it is very important to talk to the students and get their opinion on the situation. The dress codes against females designed to prevent distractions to the boys in the classroom. I think an appropriate exercise is to have the students vote on the outfits worn by students on this website.
Your results may surprise you. It is important to see if the school districts have a right to be concerned about issues, such as exposed shoulders, being to distracting to boys.
- You will bring the picture up, ask everyone to remain silent. The point to this exercise is to see the honest opinion of these students.
- Once they were able to study the picture ask all students to put their heads down on the desk.
- First ask the girls to raise their hands if they feel the outfit was inappropriate. Record your result and make sure you know the total count of the girls
- Then ask the boys to raise their hands if they feel the outfit was inappropriate
Your results may surprise you. It is important to see if the school districts have a right to be concerned about issues, such as exposed shoulders, being to distracting to boys.
Review the School Handbook's Dress Code
As a student myself, I know I have never taken the time to read my school's handbook, yet alone the dress code section. Many of these students don't know what is or isn't a violation in their outfits. Not only could this turn into a debate, asking students opinion on the subject matter, but it also provides the student enough information to make the right decisions. Not only will students watch what they are wearing but they will also be able to know if the school is unlawfully making the child change their outfit. Educated students can also start to promote their own opinions and take action about the issue if they do choose to.
Be there for the student
As a teacher you should be there to protect your students' rights while they are at school. It should be in your best interest to ensure that the children are happy, healthy, and feel comfortable at their own school. I would tell your students when you next faculty meeting is and say if they have any petitions or concerns about issues in their school to give you notice so, if you agree, you can discuss it at the meeting. I would also advise you to inform the students of dates where they have community meetings where students and parents are welcomed.
Conclusion
By reading this website I hope you have enough knowledge to form your own opinion and take action, no matter what role you play. I for one know I will be using these tools if I find that dress codes are an issue in my future school. Although, I plan to become an Animal Science teacher I feel this is an issue that can be briefly discussed in any class. I plan to have full knowledge of the school's dress code so I can be able to stop teachers who wrongfully accused students and protect those following school code.