Blog stage 4

The Statesman published an article by Melissa. B. Taboada titled Austin district ready to restyle school dress code states that the Austin district leaders could renew the dress code policy in time for the new school year. To remove language that some say wrongfully targets female students and specific cultures. This changes are coming after a few months back a local group requested the district to rethink the current code mentioning that it does not support the values of the district. Mentioning it to be, "vague, arbitrary, sexist and racist."

Tracy Spinner, the district director of health services, cites to the school policies in Portland, Oregon which are great examples for the district when they think of renewing their dress code. Bans on specific clothes such as- baggy pants, tight clothes, garments that "improperly expose body parts", hats, caps and athletic shorts- are very common among area school districts which include Austin, Hays, Leander, Pflugerville and round rock. Where as the Manor school district demands uniforms.

Candace Pruett, who is a parent, of Austin families for Common Sense School Dress Code filed a petition to update the dress code which was supported by 625 signatures, majority of rthem were parents. A retired district teacher, Trustee Ann Teich says, that she's fascinated in inspecting the reconsideration to the policy, she says that students should understand that, "a certain amount of professionalism  should be demonstrated when they come to school."

The working group could submit to trustees a draft of the new dress code language after it meets. But, Superintendent Paul Cruz said the committee might need to discuss changes over a few meetings and they might want to vet ideas with other groups.

As of now, The Austin school district now includes the following as examples of inappropriate dress:
For Elementary School Level: Baggy pants, oversized shirts, elongated armholes, over tight garments, clothes that  improperly expose body parts, strapless or backless tops pr tops that have spaghetti straps or low-cut necklines, shorts and skirts that are short enough to be distracting.
For Middle school and High school level: Baggy pants, overly tight clothes or clothes that improperly expose body parts, sheer or see through clothing, halter tops, tank tops and tops that are strapless or backless, tops to expose bare midriffs or have low-cut necklines, skirts or shorts that are short enough to be distracting, boxer shorts or athletic shorts worn outside of physical education, undergarments, pajamas or other clothing not designed to be worn as an outer garment.