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Learning Activity: Consider the pros and cons of school dress codes

• ECS Education Policy Issue Site: Uniforms/Dress Codes

• 'Beyond image' to substance

CNN STUDENT NEWS

(CNN Student News) -- Students will examine the benefits and drawbacks of having dress codes in U.S. public schools.

Procedure

Divide your class into two groups to debate whether public schools should have dress codes for students. Instruct students to support their opinions with anecdotal research. Pose the following questions to help groups prepare for the debate:

Is it important for students to express their personality through dress?

Do you think that dress codes can impact the social or academic problems that may exist in U.S. schools?

Do dress codes help students focus on academics?

Do dress codes infringe on students' civil rights?

Is it possible to have a dress code that everyone in a school likes?

Following the debate, have students consider whether the potential benefits of dress codes outweigh any drawbacks.

Correlated Standards

Social Studies

Standard III: People, Places, and Environments: Students will develop an understanding of how social processes influence identity formation and the ethical principles underlying individual action.

Standard V. Individuals, Groups and Institutions: Students will develop an understanding of how institutions control and influence individuals and culture.

The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://ncss.org/).

Keywords

school dress codes, hairstyles, conform, civil rights

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