As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken. Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools.
3 Jul 2001
The Dallas Independent School District Board of Education recently approved revisions in the Student Dress Code for the 2001-2002 school year.
Updates to the dress code include:
• Shirts must be worn inside slacks with belts at all times by all students unless the shirts are designed to be worn outside of the slacks or the pants are designed to be worn without a belt.
• Sweat bands and skulls caps and other similar grooming items shall not be worn at school.
• Visible body piercing is not allowed, including piercing of the tongue, while on school campus or at school-sponsored activities.
• Footwear that constitutes a safety hazard, including steel-toed boots or shoes.
• Leggings, biker pants, or pants allowed to sag below the waistline.
"The dress code will be enforced consistently throughout the district, said General Superintendent Mike Moses. "These basic guidelines on student grooming will minimize distractions in the classroom, creating an environment conducive to learning. In addition, setting higher standards raises the bar for our students and prepares them for societal expectations beyond their Dallas Independent School District's education experience."
A citywide educational campaign to gain parental support for the district's efforts will air throughout the summer and before back-to-school shopping begins to allow parents and students the opportunity to purchase clothing which meets district guidelines.
In addition, each district school with the support of the Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) committee may establish its own dress code, which must incorporate and not be in conflict with the district's dress and grooming standards. As a part of these codes, individual schools may designate a uniform for students to wear on a voluntary basis.