School Dress Code Proposals Killed

The Idaho Legislature will not attempt to pass two bills dealing with dress codes for public school students and teachers.

The Senate Education Committee killed two measures Thursday intended to strengthen and clarify the authority of local districts to impose dress codes.

Education Committee Chairman John Hansen, R-Idaho Falls, said the bills were intended to clarify the enforcement authority of local districts. One would have allowed districts to cover students with dress standards, while another was intended for teachers and staffers.

Hansen said although it would not be a mandate from the state, many districts would interpret the bills as a directive from the Legislature to enact tougher dress codes.

Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, said he objects to the idea that the way a student dresses is a reflection of his or her character.

“There is no relationship between dress and the quality of teaching,” he said. “This is a step in the wrong direction.”

Sen. Tim Tucker, D-Porthill, seconded the motion to kill the bills. He said the state has no business encouraging dress codes; teachers should deal with students’ minds, not their earrings and baseball caps.