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Student Appearance ( School Law Cases and Concepts, p. 174 -185)

Student Appearance ( School Law Cases and Concepts, p. 174 -185). Michelle Duke MED 6490 February 2, 2010. Challenges to dress and grooming began in the 1960s, with a markedly reduced number of suits in more recent times. In recent cases, school officials

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Student Appearance ( School Law Cases and Concepts, p. 174 -185)

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  1. Student Appearance(School Law Cases and Concepts, p. 174 -185) Michelle Duke MED 6490 February 2, 2010

  2. Challenges to dress and grooming began in the 1960s, with a markedly reduced number of suits in more recent times.

  3. In recent cases, school officials frequently contend that dress and grooming violations are gang related and, therefore, pose a serious threat to safety in the school • May violate the First Amendment and include gender and racial discrimination

  4. Courts generally contend that such “expression” does not have protection under the First Amendment when there is violence in the community or school such as intimidation of students and faculty, shootings or knifings, rampant drug use, or racial turmoil that is related to gang or hate-group activity. • A policy prohibiting the wearing or display of any gang symbol, any act of speech showing gang affiliation, and any conduct in furtherance of gang activity was also upheld by a federal district court.

  5. Olsen v. Board of Education, 676 F.Supp. 820 (Ill. 1987) • The wearing of earrings by males was not protected under the First Amendment, since that could be an indication of gang membership for boys • Hines v. Caston School Corporation, 651 N.E. 2d 330 (Ind. App.1995) • Although not involving the issue of gang membership, a 4th grade male was prohibited from wearing an earring

  6. Bivens v. Albuquerque Public Schools, 899 F.Supp.556 (N.M. 1995), aff’d, 131 F.3d 151 (10th Cir. 1997) Two-Part Test for nonverbal conduct to be Protected Under the First Amendment: • Intent to convey a particular message • A great likelihood that the message will be understood by those who observe the conduct

  7. Phillips v. Anderson County School District, 987 F.Supp. 488 (S.C. 1997) ~ not being allowed to wear a Confederate flag jacket to school was upheld as not violating a student’s freedom of expression

  8. Isaacs ex.rel. Isaacs v. Board of Education of Howard County, 40 F.Supp.2d 335 (Md. 1999) ~ A “no hats” policy was upheld when a girl was not allowed to wear a headwrap in celebration of her African American and Jamaican cultural heritage

  9. Harper v. Edgewood Board of Education, 655 F.Supp.1353 (Ohio 1987) ~ Students were not permitted to attend a high school prom because they were wearing clothing of the opposite sex

  10. Fowler v. Williamson, 251 S.E. 2d 889 (N.C. Ct. App. 1979) • A dress regulation requiring proper attire to participate in a graduation ceremony was upheld • The student was entitled to receive his diploma separately after the program

  11. School Uniforms • Requiring the wearing of uniforms is common in private and parochial schools, and is increasingly being adopted by public schools across the country • Courts have generally upheld mandatory school uniform policies Littlefield v. Forney Independent School District, 268 F.3d 275 (5th Cir. 2001) United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968)

  12. Grooming • Federal appellate courts in the 5th, 6th, 9th, & 10th Circuits either upheld grooming regulations or contended that grooming regulations were unworthy of their attention. • IN CONTRAST, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th Circuits found regulations limiting the length of hair valid. • State courts in Oklahoma, Oregon, and Alaska have held that schools do NOT have the authority to regulate hairstyles. • HOWEVER, Supreme Courts in Texas, Missouri, and Kansas have not held similarly.

  13. Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Marriage • Enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 addressed the issue on the basis of prohibiting gender discrimination in any educational programs receiving federal funds.

  14. Pfeiffer v. Marion Center Area School District, 917 F.2d 779 (3rd Cir. 1990) • Pregnant student NOT allowed in NHS +Chipman v. Grant County School District, 30 F. Supp. 2d 975 (Ky.1998) - Pregnant students WERE allowed in NHS

  15. Issue Does a double standard continue to exist that brands sexually active girls but not their male partners?

  16. Legal Doctrine Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 P.L. 95-555,42 U.S.C. 2000E • Prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy

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