Case Study: Dress Code

Shayla Williams

Grand Canyon University

EAD-519 Clinical Internship 1: Learner-Centered Leadership

Dr. Knudson

February 2024
 Case Study: Dress Code

Part 1: Case Analysis

I. Brief summary of the case:

In the initial year of assuming the role of assistant principal at a high school, a critical need arises

to revamp the student dress code policies. Your responsibility includes formulating a fresh

strategy to uphold the dress code regulations and address instances where students fail to wear

their school-issued ID cards. The school has encountered more than 4,000 violations related to

dress code and ID card infractions in the current academic year. This surge in violations has led

to teacher demotivation as they grapple with the ongoing challenge of ensuring students adhere

to the school's dress code guidelines and carry their ID cards. The existing approach has proven

ineffective, evident from the escalating number of referrals and the increasing count of students

being assigned detention.

II. Identify the issues to be resolved:

a. The school dress code requires updating and re-evaluating.

b. Teachers are reluctant to uphold the school dress code.

c. Students are breaching the school dress code and the requirement for school ID cards.

d. Administrators are facing challenges due to the high number of referrals and a lengthy

detention roster.

e. Both internal and external stakeholders are expressing discontent over the lack of

student adherence to the existing school dress code and violations related to school ID

cards.
III. Stakeholders involved in the issues:

a. Principal of the school

b. Assistant Principal (myself)

c. Parents of the students

d. Teachers at the school

e. Students at the school

IV. One or two existing laws or court rulings that relate to the issues:

a. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

i. Students who wore black armbands to school demonstrated their opposition to

war. The school system, however, asked students to remove their armbands

because they believed this behavior to be a violation of the dress code. Refusing

to comply resulted in suspension. Later, the Supreme Court ruled that the

students' First Amendment right to free speech had been violated by the school

system. (Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969).

ii. 70 OK Stat § 70-24-100.4 (2014) – “The board of education of each school

district in this state shall have the option of adopting a dress code for students

enrolled in the school district. The board of education of a school district shall

also have the option of adopting a dress code which includes school uniforms”

(OK Stat § 70-24-100.4).

iii. U.S.C. Amendment. I. – The First Amendment of the United States Constitution

allows for all Americans the freedom of speech and expression (U.S.C. amend.

I.).
V. District policies that relate to the issues:

The Richland County School District One Policy states – “Richland County School District

One is trying to create a culture of learning, and dressing appropriately enhances this

culture. Students have the responsibility and are expected to dress in an appropriate

manner while on school district property, on a school bus or other school-sponsored

transportation, when representing the school or attending school-sponsored activities.

Personal appearance will be such that it does not become distractive to other students;

materially and/or substantially disrupt student work, classes, other school activities, or

school order; or creates a health or safety problem. The more time staff has to spend on

problems created by inappropriate attire, the less time is spent on improving student

achievement. ” (R1 Dress Code, n.d.).

“For Level I offenses, the following may be implemented: parental contact and in-school

conference assigned as warranted; in-school disciplinary actions, such as detention OR the

assignment of reports related to the offense or work assignments (academic or

community service to school) before or after school OR supervised in-school suspension;

OR suspension for one (1) to five (5) days at the discretion of the principal (or designee).

No student will be removed from the bus until a school administrator or transportation

supervisor has made direct contact with the student’s parent/legal guardian. In cases

where a range of possible levels of response is indicated, administrators are to determine

the appropriate level by taking into consideration the circumstances of the incident and

the student’s age, grade, developmental level, intentionality and prior infractions.”

(Student Code of Conduct Handbook, 2023).

1. School Dress code needs to be updated.

a. Find out about additional district dress codes in the area.

b. Find out what expectations internal and external stakeholders have.

c. Assign the assignment to the school's teacher leaders.

2. Teachers not wanting to enforce the school dress code.

a. Motivate educators to give students rewards for adhering to the school's

clothing code.

b. Inform teachers about the dangers, safety, and security posed by students who

disregard the student ID card policy and dress code.

3. Students are violating the school dress code and school ID card expectations.

a. Give students rewards for minor or no offenses on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Here, PBIS rewards might be effective.

b. Students who violate the dress code should be directed to the office or school

nurse so they can change into t-shirts provided by the school.

c. Explain to the students the rationale behind the school ID card requirement and

the clothing code.

4. Administrators are frustrated with the number of referrals and the long list of students

for detention.

a. Create a student incentive program that aligns with the school's dress code

regulations and ID card protocols.

with the current school dress code and school ID card violations.

a. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in a survey aimed at assisting the

assistant principal in revising the existing dress code.

b. Stakeholders are invited to volunteer at the school to support students in

adhering to school policies and to serve as positive role models.

c. Families are kindly requested to contribute unwanted clothing to the school for

those students who frequently violate the dress code.

VII. The solution you chose to resolve the issues:

a. The school dress code requires updating and re-evaluating.

i. My strategy for solving this issue would be to involve many stakeholders in this

project. I would thoroughly investigate the tactics used by nearby school

districts as well as those used by school districts across the country. In addition,

I would ask teachers and parents for input to learn more about their needs and

preferences. I would then combine this information with the district's overall

objectives and core values. We can strive toward a more thorough and efficient

resolution to the current problem by integrating all relevant stakeholders and

bringing their perspectives into alignment.

b. Teachers are reluctant to uphold the school dress code.

i. One effective approach to address this concern would involve implementing a

positive behavior system for teachers to encourage students to adhere to the

school dress code and ID card policy. By offering rewards to students who

comply with these guidelines, educators can create a more positive and

supportive environment. Additionally, it may be beneficial to remind teachers of

the safety implications associated with students not following these policies,
 emphasizing the importance of maintaining a secure and orderly school

community. By promoting a culture of respect for the dress code and ID card

policy, schools can enhance safety measures and promote a sense of

responsibility among students.

c. Students are breaching the school dress code and the requirement for school ID cards.

i. The approach I would opt for to address this matter involves incentivizing

students who adhere to the school's dress code and wear their school ID cards.

In cases where students' attire is causing disruptions to the learning

environment, they will be directed to the nurse's office to change into

appropriate clothing without facing detention, allowing them to promptly

return to class. It is crucial to ensure that students are informed annually about

the significance of complying with the school dress code and the potential risks

posed to the safety of all individuals within the school premises.

d. Administrators are facing challenges due to the high number of referrals and a lengthy

detention roster.

i. The approach I would recommend for addressing this matter involves

discontinuing the practice of assigning detention. Instead, students who are

identified as causing disruptions to the learning environment through their

clothing choices should be directed to the nurse's office to change before

returning to class. In cases where the infractions persist, it may be necessary to

arrange a meeting with the parent to collaboratively find a resolution to the

situation.
 e. Both internal and external stakeholders are expressing discontent over the lack of

student adherence to the existing school dress code and violations related to school ID

cards.

i. To address this problem, I would encourage stakeholder parties to complete a

survey that would aid in the creation of a new dress code for the school. In

addition, I would like to invite families to contribute unused clothing to the

school in order to make up for those students who consistently disregard the

dress code.

VIII. Action steps (2-5) for implementing your solution, including a timeline for each step:

a. Step 1: In Step 1 of the process, the first action would involve reaching out to teachers

to gather their feedback on the existing dress code and to brainstorm ideas for

enhancing it. Subsequently, a survey would be distributed to both the community and

families within the school to gather a broader range of perspectives. Additionally, data

on current dress code violations would be shared with the school families, emphasizing

the school's commitment to minimizing infractions and seeking input on how to achieve

this goal. This step is anticipated to take place from May through the conclusion of the

school year.

b. Step 2: During the summer months, dedicate your time to gathering information from

both internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, delve into researching various

school dress code policies implemented across the state and the nation. This task is

crucial for understanding the diverse practices in place and can provide valuable insights

for future decision-making. Stick to the outlined timeline to ensure all data collection

and research activities are completed efficiently and effectively.

c. Step 3 involves sending an email to school leaders for their input on the existing data

and any proposed changes to the dress code policy. Once everyone is in agreement, the
 next step is to forward the revised policy to the principal for approval by the board of

education. If adjustments are required, these should be finalized before the start of the

school year to ensure a smooth transition.

d. Step 4: Schedule a meeting or district-wide communication with both internal and

external stakeholders to discuss the proposed revisions to the school dress code. This

event is planned to take place during schedule pick-up before the start of the school

year.

e. Step 5: At the commencement of the school year faculty meeting, the introduction of

the innovative rewards system will take center stage. The primary emphasis will be on

the recognition and celebration of positive behavior, shifting away from the traditional

focus on highlighting negative actions. This new approach aims to foster a culture of

positivity, encouragement, and motivation among both students and staff. By promoting

and rewarding positive behavior, the school hopes to create a supportive and inspiring

environment that nurtures personal growth and success for all individuals involved.

f. Step 6: To inform and educate students about the updated rewards system for adhering

to the revised school dress code, sessions will be conducted in each homeroom or

during school-wide assemblies. The focus will be on highlighting the benefits of

following the dress code and the potential safety risks associated with non-compliance.

Additionally, students will be reminded of the significance of their ID cards, which serve

as access points to their academic records, school computers, and participation in

extracurricular activities. It will be emphasized that students without their ID cards may

face restrictions, such as being denied entry to the student section at school sports

events and other after-school functions. These informative sessions are scheduled to

take place during the first week of the new school term.

IX. Potential moral and legal consequences of the solution:

teachers to navigate. When determining whether a student has breached the dress code,

educators may inadvertently find themselves in contentious situations with students who

dispute the allegations. This can lead to power struggles that educators would prefer to

avoid, and prompt them to reassess their ethical principles. Such scenarios may even tempt

educators to compromise their own standards of conduct.

Moreover, there are legal implications to consider. If a school district faces a lawsuit from

families of students accused of violating dress code policies, the issue of freedom of speech

and expression may be raised. Schools must be prepared to substantiate how a student's

attire indeed disrupts the learning environment and hampers the educational process.

Failure to uphold the school's policies could result in teachers breaching their contractual

obligations, potentially subjecting them to disciplinary measures by the board of education.

It is crucial for educators to navigate the enforcement of dress codes with sensitivity and

adherence to both ethical and legal standards.

Part 2: Rationale

Educators face a delicate balancing act when it comes to enforcing school dress codes. They

must carefully assess whether a student’s attire truly disrupts the learning environment before taking

action. Straying too far in enforcing dress codes can encroach on students' freedom of speech and

expression, leading to more complex issues. To address dress code violations effectively, schools should

regularly review and update their policies. This presents an opportunity for school leaders to shift the

narrative around dress codes by focusing on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. By

implementing a rewards system for students who comply, schools can potentially reduce infractions and

promote a more positive school culture (NPBEA, 2015).

Highlighting positive behavior and reinforcing the importance of following dress codes can help

create a more supportive and respectful school environment. It's crucial for schools to educate students
and families about dress code policies to ensure clarity and understanding. Emphasizing the rationale

behind these rules, such as promoting student safety and care, can foster better compliance. Rather

than solely focusing on disciplining violators, schools should strive to empower students to meet high

standards and excel in their academic pursuits. Involving both internal and external stakeholders in the

improvement process can strengthen the school community and drive continuous enhancements in line

with the school's vision, mission, and values (NPBEA, 2015).

 Schools can enhance the effectiveness of dress code enforcement by implementing a rewards

system for students who comply with the policies.

 Highlighting positive behavior and the importance of following dress codes can contribute to a

more supportive and respectful school environment.

 Educating students and families about dress code policies is essential to ensure clarity and

understanding.

 Emphasizing the reasons behind dress code rules, such as promoting student safety and care,

can encourage better compliance.

 Instead of solely focusing on disciplining violators, schools should aim to empower students to

meet high standards and excel academically.

 Involving both internal and external stakeholders in the improvement process can strengthen

the school community and drive continuous enhancements aligned with the school's vision,

mission, and values.

70 OK Stat § 70-24-100.4

Grand Canyon University. (2019). EAD - 519 topic 6 Case Study: Dress Code. [Class document]. Halo.

[Link]

nestedResourceId=4fe0deac-8eaf-4e3d-9d0b-6dab6e642c73

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for Educational

Leaders 2015. Reston, VA: Author. [Link]

[Link]

Richland County School District One. (n.d.). Dress Code.

[Link]

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Richland County School District One. (2023). Student Code of Conduct Handbook.

[Link]

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Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. (1969). Oyez. Retrieved February 10,

2024 from [Link]