According to a recent news item, teachers in Metro Nashville public schools will be subject to an official dress code. A committee was set up to come up with a policy that would apply to both teachers and the Nashville schools’ administrators.
Are Dress Codes for Nashville Schools Necessary?
The idea of an official dress code for those attending Nashville schools is an interesting one. At one point business apparel was much more formal; everyone was aware of what would be considered appropriate, whether they were working at one of the Nashville schools, in a bank, or an office environment. The rules for fashion (and acceptable behavior) were strictly defined.
Over time, a general relaxing of rules has occurred. Either that, or the rules have been challenged and changed over time. Strict standards of what is considered acceptable behavior and clothing are no longer a part of our culture. Nashville schools, like other working environments, have also become less formal over time.
While I can understand that students may need to be reminded about what is considered acceptable attire for the classroom, I find it a bit difficult to believe that teachers in Nashville schools need the same reminders. After all, the teachers are supposed to be the adults, aren’t they?
Parents send their children to school each day and one would think that the person at the head of the classroom would have enough maturity (and let’s face it - common sense) to know what is and isn’t considered appropriate apparel, whether they are working in Nashville’s schools or in some other educational institution.
I wonder about the underlying reason for adopting a policy regarding what is considered appropriate clothing. Are the school board officials in Nashville schools saying that the people who are entrusted with teaching the nation’s young people lack the judgment to know that wearing something low-cut and clingy (for a woman) is not appropriate? Or that jeans and sandals (for both genders) belong outside the classroom?
Enforcing the Policy in Nashville Schools
Once the dress code policy is put in effect in Nashville schools (and possibly elsewhere in the United States), how will that policy be enforced? Will school administrators be asked to take on the role of “fashion police” as part of their job description? Not having seen the proposed dress code policy to be adopted by Nashville schools, I have no idea whether certain types of fabrics will be banned entirely or if the policy is more vague. Will teachers be told that T-shirts are considered inappropriate, when it is possible to wear one as part of a coordinated outfit and still look professional?
While some items of clothing (such as T-shirts condoning violence) would certainly be inappropriate attire at Nashville schools, other matters of fashion are open to interpretation whether they belong in a classroom. Let’s trust that teachers can make good choices in this area without the dress code.
Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Metro Nashville Public Schools
