Students
Board Policy No. 5132
Policy Adopted: Nov. 12, 2024
DRESS AND GROOMING
The Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to wear clothing that is suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students shall not wear clothing that presents a health or safety hazard or causes a substantial disruption to the educational program.
District and school rules pertaining to student attire shall be included in student handbooks, may be posted in school offices and classrooms, and may be periodically reviewed with all students as necessary.
School-directed changes to a student's attire should be the least restrictive and disruptive to the student’s school day. Administration and enforcement of the dress code shall be gender neutral and consistent.
This policy applies to all individual schools. Schools may not enact more restrictive or less restrictive dress codes.
Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observance.
In addition, the dress code shall not discriminate against students based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including, but not limited to, braids, locks, and twists. (Education Code 212.1)
Gang-Related Apparel
The principal, staff, and parents/guardians at a school may establish a reasonable dress code that prohibits students from wearing gang-related apparel when there is evidence of a gang presence that disrupts or threatens to disrupt the school's activities. Such a proposed dress code shall be presented to the Board, which shall approve the plan upon determining that it is necessary to protect the health and safety of the school environment. The dress code policy may be included in the school's comprehensive safety plan. (Education Code 35183)
When determining specific items of clothing that may be defined as gang apparel, the school shall ensure that the determination is free from bias based on race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, or other protected characteristics.
Uniforms
The Board may approve a school-initiated dress code requiring students at the school to wear a school uniform whenever the Board determines that such a dress code will promote student achievement, a positive school climate, and/or student safety.
The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures whereby parents/guardians may choose to have their children exempted from the school uniform policy. Students shall not be penalized academically, otherwise discriminated against, or denied attendance to school if their parents/guardians so decide. (Education Code 35183)
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that resources are identified to assist economically disadvantaged students in obtaining uniforms. (Education Code 35183)
Education Code
32281 School safety plans
35183 School dress codes: uniforms
35183.5 Sun-protective clothing
48907 Student exercise of free expression
49066 Grades: effect of physical education class apparel
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
302 Pupils to be neat and clean on entering school
COURT DECISIONS
Marvin H Jeglin et al v. San Jacinto Unified School District et al, (C.D. Cal. 1993)
827 F. Supp. 1459
Arcadia Unified School District v. California Department of Education, (1992) 2 Cal. 4th 251
Hartzell v. Connell, (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899
BP SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BP ALAMEDA CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT