School Dress Code Changes In Alameda

ALAMEDA, CA — The start of school is less than two weeks away, and that has parents and kids shopping for new wardrobes. In July, the Alameda Unified School DIstrict Board of Education approved changes to AUSD’s dress code.

The changes were instituted after concerns were raised that the policies were tougher on girls, with students being shamed by measuring the widths of straps and lengths of shorts in class.

A small work group reviewed existing policy and practices and came up with changes based on three key principles:

• All students are encouraged to dress in a manner that is comfortable and conducive to an active school day.
• Students should be able to wear clothing without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.
• The student dress code should serve to support all students to develop a body positive self-image.

The district will collect feedback from students, families, and staff throughout the fall and will summarize the feedback for the Board in December.

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"We believe these changes will reduce inequitable and unnecessary discipline and help us maximize learning time," says Steven Fong, AUSD’s Chief Academic Officer. "Districts across the country are adopting similar revisions for similar reasons. We are excited to be moving forward with such a student-centered approach."

Under the revised policies, students must still wear:
• Bottoms
• Tops
• Shoes
• Clothing that covers genitals, buttocks, and areolae/nipples with opaque material

Courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, marketing, public speaking, and job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress, but the assignment should not focus on covering students’ bodies or promoting culturally specific attire. And teachers can require shoes for certain activities (such as physical education or shop).

Students may still wear:
• Hats, including religious headwear
• Hoodie sweatshirts (over head is allowed)
• Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants, and skinny jeans
• Sweatpants, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants
• Midriff baring shirts
• Pajamas
• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed
• Tank tops, including spaghetti straps, halter tops, and tube (strapless) tops
• Athletic attire
• Clothing with commercial or athletic logos provided they do not violate the guidelines in the ‘CANNOT Wear’ section below
• Sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during the school day (Education Code 35183.5)

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Students cannot wear clothing with:
• Violent language or images
• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same
• Hate speech, profanity, pornography
• Images and/or language that create a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class
• Visible underwear or bathing suits of similar design - visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are not a violation
• Helmets, hoods, or other headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance)

The new policy must be implemented by all staff consistently. Because it is new, bothprincipals and teachers will receive training on the purpose and spirit of the new dress code and how best to enforce it, with the least impact on learning and self confidence. Staff will also be trained in how to use positive language to explain the code and address violations. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

Discipline
Students can’t be removed from class for violating the policy unless it’s a violation of the "cannot" or "must" sections. Even then:
• The loss of class time should be kept to a minimum.
• Students can’t be forced to wear clothing that is not theirs.
• Parents/guardians shouldn’t be called during day to bring alternative clothing unless by student request.
• Discipline shouldn’t be given disproportionately based on gender, race, body size, body maturity.
• Students shouldn’t be shamed or measured in front of the class for what they’re wearing.

If you have questions about the policy, the district can be reached at 510-337-7000.

-Image via Shutterstock