No More Fashion Parades at Indianapolis Schools

Indianapolis Schools Set Dress Codeshave decided that this is a small step towards
Students at Indianapolis schools this year have to getfostering an improved learning environment in schools.
used to leaving many of their personal preferences atAnd one has to agree. Schools places to foster
home. The school district, the largest in the state, haslearning and build character; this focus is shifted when
laid down a set of rules that govern the way studentsteenagers walk around with ridiculous clothing that aims
dress when they come to class. The new dressto grab attention by any means possible. A dress
requirement at Indianapolis schools touches almostcode prevents distractions in classes and also
every item of clothing a student could be wearing fromeliminates any class distinctions that may arise
shirts, pants and skirts to belts and shoes, and evenbecause of the way a student dresses.
under garments. Under the new dress code studentsPredictably enough, the new dress code has students
in Indianapolis schools will attend class wearing onlyupset. Many students are of the opinion that some of
solid colored shirts paired with tan, black or navy pantsthe regulations border on the ridiculous. One student
and skirts. Undershirts that are the wrong color orclaims she was asked to go home because her
shirts that are not tucked in neatly are strict no nosjacket did not match her pants. Students at some
according to the new regulations. That symbol ofschool like Tech High School have been particularly
youth rebellion, the low slung pair of pants sagging toprone to discipline action on account of dress code
dangerous depths has also been completely ruled outviolations. Critics of the system say the code is more
as part of the new dress code at Indianapolis schools.difficult to enforce in places like Tech High School
Indianapolis Schools Aim to Dress for Successbecause of the sheer numbers of students and the
The new dress code regulations at Indianapolis schoolsdifficulty in monitoring their clothes. Others say
are an attempt to improve the image of the schoolsuspending students in the Indianapolis Schools for
district. Superintendent Eugene White says the newdress code violations doesn't help make them better
dress code will change the perception of Indianapolisstudents. These seem to be minor glitches in a system
schools into an image of a school district that expectsthat's still new and in the process of being tested.
excellence. He says the new dress regulations willOnce these road bumps are smoothed out, Indianapolis
affect changes in the way Indianapolis schools look,schools might find they have improved their image at
act and teach. Although there haven't been any majorleast in terms of developing a pro learning environment
studies that show that having a uniform dress codein their campuses.
can impact academic excellence, Indianapolis schools