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Should schools have stricter dress codes?

How strict should dress codes be for teachers in public schools?

  • Obviously a teacher is expected to dress "professionally". However, that word can be open to interpretation. Do school boards need a written dress code? Of so, what should it require? Are jeans acceptable? At what point does a dress code infringe on the first amendment?

  • Answer:

    I am torn on the issue of dress codes in public schools. One the one hand, I am not a tie guy. I think ties = nooses. The whole dress shirt and and tie idea I hate. However, as a teacher you are to be an example to your students. One way you can be an example is in the way you dress. Keeping that in mind, I don't want to dress like a slob. I would want to be above average. On the other hand, if they want us to dress nicely they could pay us more money. I read a quote recently that said, "If the dress code is casual then that's because they don't pay you enough to dress anything other" or something like that. There is truth in that. I'm a big guy and clothes aren't exactly cheap for me. I'm 6'7" with size 17 shoes. Clothes for me are an investment and are worn to destruction. I especially shouldn't have to wear nice clothes when I'm teaching kindergarten. The likelihood of some piece of clothing getting a stain on it goes up when teaching them. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching them it's just that they are messier than your usual student. After looking over my rantings I guess my answer is that yes, school boards need a written dress code; but not saying what must be worn so much as what shouldn't be worn. It should require that no open-toed shoes should be worn, no dresses or skirts above the knee, all shirts and blouses must have sleeves, a collar, and at least partly button up (i.e. a polo shirt). Dresses should also cover shoulders and have sleeves. No stomach should be showing. If shirts have writing on them then the writing must be either the brand name or educational. Principles are allowed to loosen or tighten the dress code (to a point) in their individual schools. Jeans are only acceptable if allowed by the principal and only if they have no holes or rips. As far as the first amendment goes, you are taking a job and signing a contract to work in a school district. By signing that contract you are agreeing to the terms of it. Therefore, if it is included within the contract then you forfeit your 1st amendment rights as far as dress code goes. That is provided that you are trying to keep your job. The main idea behind a teachers dress should be that it is comfortable, functional, and if it can either inspire or educate that is a bonus.

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Other answers

If they can have one for the students they should be able to have one for the teachers as well...having said that the teachers have unions which would fight any sort of mandatory dress code that was too strict.

calired67

I think jeans is out for teachers unless it is a casual event. As cool as it is, jeans project a casual image. Even if the school doesn't mind, it can give your superiors and parents wrong impression of you and undermine the professionalism that you have. We can deny that people still judge by appearance. For example, if I want a highly-protective parent to trust that I know what i am doing though i am not married, dressing professional does help the parent to consider me as a mature n understanding adult, especially when the parent does not really know you that well yet.

hazelnut

I think skirts shorter than the knees are not appropriate. I also believe there should be little or no cleavage. I believe this because I was in a high school where a teacher dressed extremely pravactive and it always disturbed me. Jeans, on the other hand, are totally acceptable.

alicia4400

The same as for the students. I should think.

Connie cernd

safety is one of the reasons dress codes are enforced. i mean in middle school i had to wear uniform because a student was murdered because of "gang" colors. schools should be able to decide if they want a dress code, b/c where im from, i didn't really get to decide where i went to school. but dressing freely now im comfortable.

Reyfromdabay

Many school systems have dress codes, but a lot of them aren't strictly enforced unless they need to be. I break the code sometimes, I'm required to wear a tie every day- but some shirts just look better without one. So they do have codes, and it depends on which school you work at to how far they take it. I've seen places where every one looks very nice every day to places were half of them wear jeans every day. As for the first amendment, it doesn't cover this. The job is able to put forth any expectation they want from me, and I'm free to accept it or reject it. If I want them to pay me (which I do), I have to accept what they ask, and that includes dressing as they say I should dress.

locusfire

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