# Can Public Schools Legally Require Uniforms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642 "2012-05-21T18:57:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/1 "2012-05-21T18:57:09Z")
I know that privately run schools can and do require their students to wear approved styles of dress-in some cases, uniforms. But in the USA, I would be surprised if any attempt by a local school board (to require that students wear a uniform) would be met by challenges to such a regulation’s constitutionality. Has any public school mandated uniforms? And, has it stood up to legal challenge? Personally, I like the idea of school uniforms-it eliminates a source of competition, and eases the hardships of parents (buying expensive clothes). ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/2 "2012-05-21T19:01:04Z")
[Yes](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/infocus/fashion/school.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/3 "2012-05-21T19:01:20Z")
That’s the one thing I preferred about my kids’ previous (public) school system: they were required to wear uniforms. This was Chatham County (Savannah) Georgia, and the uniforms have been mandated for a few years now. I guess it’s legal, but I never challenged it… ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/4 "2012-05-21T19:02:05Z")
The 1st Amendment’s freedom of expressive conduct would forbid uniforms. While the case law I am familiar with is not specific to the word “Uniform”, there are cases upholding a student’s dress. The “Bush is a terrorist” shirt case I remember out of Michigan is one example, the court upheld the students right to wear it. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/5 "2012-05-21T19:08:22Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > The 1st Amendment’s freedom of expressive conduct would forbid uniforms. Cite? Somebody probably should inform the school districts mentioned in the article I linked, one of which has been requiring uniforms since 1994. ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/6 "2012-05-21T19:12:52Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Cite? Somebody probably should inform the school districts mentioned in the article I linked, one of which has been requiring uniforms since 1994. I did find this though, opposite my thoughts. The Michigan case I cited, obviously, that district does not require uniforms. Since it did not deal with uniforms, and other cases I read, I made my comment based on that. [http://www.acluutah.org/uniforms.htm](http://www.acluutah.org/uniforms.htm) ---
**Author:** ![jebert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ec9cab/32.png) [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/7 "2012-05-21T23:23:37Z")
A few of the elementary schools in my school district have dress codes that are close to being requirements for uniforms. The codes specify collared shirts for boys that must come from just a few colors - e.g., blue or white. They must wear slacks, not blue jeans. I forget exactly what the girls’ attire is, but they have the same color choices. If I’m not mistaken, the parents at these schools had to approve the dress code requirements before they were implemented. As far as I know, there have been no legal challenges. Other elementary schools in the district don’t use dress codes because their behavior patterns haven’t shown the need for them. I believe that none of the middle or high schools have dress codes, probably for the reason that the older kids wouldn’t stand for it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/8 "2012-05-21T23:57:08Z")
The allowance to prevent disruptions in the education process covers a lot. We as kids often just said that we didn’t have all our freedoms until we graduated. And, since at least one opinion was already stated, I’ll state mine: using uniforms just means that students will find something else to discriminate against each other, and gang members will just find another way to identify one another. I sure would love to see citations that this was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/9 "2012-05-22T00:23:23Z")
I guess so. I wore uniforms in middle school ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/10 "2012-05-22T00:30:28Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And, since at least one opinion was already stated, I’ll state mine: using uniforms just means that students will find something else to discriminate against each other, and gang members will just find another way to identify one another. I sure would love to see citations that this was wrong. Nobody could do such a thing but let’s not branch off into other issues here. Every public school system in the U.S. has a dress code for students. It may be as simple as banning offensive t-shirts that would be legal anywhere else but it is still there. It runs the full spectrum from there. I would go far as to say that public schools do not have a true uniform unless they are incredibly specific in brands, colors, maintenance and care requirements like ironing. The word ‘uniform’ means something much different to me than it does to some people and it is a loaded word. It mainly refers to military and police type dress with inspections and reprimands if the uniform isn’t followed exactly. I have heard of variations on near uniform requirements in some school districts in the U.S. but the term can be applied incorrectly as well. Sometimes it just means a dress code that is much more strict than usual. I would be much more surprised in finding a public school that allows students to wear any legal item of clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/11 "2012-05-22T02:25:54Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > The 1st Amendment’s freedom of expressive conduct would forbid uniforms. Ummm . . . no. Student safety outweighs a student’s freedom of expression which is not unlimited in school anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/12 "2012-05-22T05:50:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The allowance to prevent disruptions in the education process covers a lot. We as kids often just said that we didn’t have all our freedoms until we graduated. > > And, since at least one opinion was already stated, I’ll state mine: using uniforms just means that students will find something else to discriminate against each other, and gang members will just find another way to identify one another. I sure would love to see citations that this was wrong. I agree with you. My daughter’s school has uniforms. To say they eliminate competition is simply not true. There is always something to distinguish groups. For example, the jumpers and shirts are all identical. This is not true of the socks, shoes, hair accessories, jewelry, purses, electronics… Etc. All of these - even socks - come in designer versions. The two things uniforms are great for is that it helps parents that can’t afford clothes to buy less (since all jumpers are the same, nobody knows if you have 5 or 50). Secondly, I love the no hassle dressing: you wear this and that’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Kayta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/65b543/32.png) [@Kayta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayta)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/13 "2012-05-22T09:43:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And, since at least one opinion was already stated, I’ll state mine: using uniforms just means that students will find something else to discriminate against each other, and gang members will just find another way to identify one another. I sure would love to see citations that this was wrong. Here in Australia they all wear uniforms, and you’re right, they find other ways to rebel or be identified. Often hair or jewellery, sometimes even the way the same uniform is worn. e.g. sleeves rolled up, socks rolled down ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/14 "2012-05-22T14:20:05Z")
The first amendment would come into play, I imagine, if students could wear what they want within a wide range of options (i.e.’ I Heart NY’ tee shirt, picture of favourite rock group, etc.) but then the administration tries to forbid, let’s say, a “Bush Sucks” shirt. Once you give one latitude, you cannot arbitraily take it away based on content of “speech”. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/15 "2012-05-22T15:24:27Z")
Our dress policy was called “standardized dress”, not “uniforms”. The policy allowed solid colored black, navy blue or khaki colored pants and a limited color range of polo styled shirts. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/16 "2012-05-22T15:29:54Z")
Columbus City Schools has a uniform policy. [PDF here.](http://www.columbuscityschools.org/documents/uniform.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/17 "2012-05-22T15:31:24Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > The first amendment would come into play, I imagine, if students could wear what they want within a wide range of options (i.e.’ I Heart NY’ tee shirt, picture of favourite rock group, etc.) but then the administration tries to forbid, let’s say, a “Bush Sucks” shirt. Once you give one latitude, you cannot arbitraily take it away based on content of “speech”. Yes, that’s how the case worked out in the courts in a city where I used to live. They tried to keep someone from wearing a T-shirt with some slogan (Kill the Muslims or something like that) and the court said they couldn’t ban a specific slogan. So instead they went with a dress code that only allowed single color polo shirts with no words or logos and that passed muster with the court. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/18 "2012-05-22T16:02:22Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Columbus City Schools has a uniform policy. [PDF here.](http://www.columbuscityschools.org/documents/uniform.pdf) Completely off the topic, I would note that the linked PDF is Columbus, MS and not Columbus, OH. Enough has been said about uniforms not preventing competition. I am not sure how they prevent financial hardship either. Anytime choice is taken away the market is limited and prices go up. If a boy can only wear blue or khaki pants to school, the parent is unable to take advantage of sales on denim or whatever may be the least expensive at second hand stores. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/19 "2012-05-22T16:04:28Z")
> [@howye](#): > > Completely off the topic, I would note that the linked PDF is Columbus, MS and not Columbus, OH. Well, would you look at that. I just Googled for “Columbus schools uniform policy” because I know C’bus schools have one, and that came up. Oops. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642/20 "2012-05-22T16:59:42Z")
The public schools I went to in the 60s and 70s had varying dress codes. At some point the idea of a dress code was dismissed in favor of more limited standards. As a result of the new found freedom we all dressed in jeans and T-shirts to display our non-conformity. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-public-schools-legally-require-uniforms/622642.md?page=2)