Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment: Legal Challenges and Policy Issues

Students' early morning decisions about what to wear to school have led many school districts into legal issues and policy challenges. Confederate belt buckles, exposed bellies, sagging pants, political statements, and social commentary have all been banned from schools, and these bans have often resulted in litigation by students who claim their constitutional right to free speech has been violated. Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment: Legal Challenges and Policy Issues explores the legal issues that arise when a school prohibits various types of student attire. Through an analysis of major Supreme and federal court cases, this volume examines conflicts that arise when administrators juggle a student's right to free speech with the need to maintain an environment conducive to learning.

Preface Chapter 1: What to Wear to School: The Controversy Chapter 2: The Free Speech Rights of Students Chapter 3: Dress Codes: Pants, Hats, and Gangs--The Clothes are the Message Chapter 4: Drugs, Politics and the Confederate Flag: Targeted Messages on Students' Clothing Chapter 5: Clothing Messages About Sex, Abortion and Sexual Orientation Chapter 6: Policy Implications of Dress Codes: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities About the Authors