Member-supported news for Southern California
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Support for LAist comes from:
Breaking news: Mark Ridley-Thomas is found guilty of bribery and conspiracy

The pros and cons of school dress codes

Are school uniforms better for students?
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Are school uniforms better for students?

As students across the country settle into their new classes the administrators are going to be paying close attention to what they're wearing. A string of high profile court cases lately has brought the issue of the school dress code back in focus.

As students across the country settle into their new classes the administrators are going to be paying close attention to what they're wearing. A string of high profile court cases lately has brought the issue of the school dress code back in focus. Last month, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that high school students were allowed to wear breast cancer awareness bracelets that said "I ♥ boobies!". Despite the favorable court rulings most schools haven't backed down on enforcing strict dress codes.

Are schools spending too much time worrying what students are wearing rather than their education? Do strict dress codes actually make a better, safer learning environment? Should more public schools push for uniforms to reduce the need for the school to police students’ wardrobes?

Guest:

Ruthann Robson, Professor of Law, City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law

Stay Connected