Dress Code

The Austin Independent School District has adopted a new dress code policy for the 2019-2020 school year. Martin Middle School is adopting the district's new dress code policy for the 2019-2020 school year.

Austin ISD’s student dress code supports equitable educational access and is written in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, immigration status, or any other basis prohibit-ed by law, that adversely affects the student. Any restrictions to the way a student dresses must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and must be explained within this dress code. Students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not be a health or safety hazard to them-selves or others.

1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way such that abdomen, genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples are fully covered with opaque fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” and “may wear” categories below must meet this basic principle.

2. Students Must Wear*, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above: A Shirt (with fabric that touches the waistband in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweat-pants, leggings, a dress or shorts), AND Shoes.

3. Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Section 1 above: Religious headwear. Hats facing straight forward or straight back and must allow the face, ears to be visible to staff any not interfere with the line of sight. Hoodie sweatshirts (wearing the hood over head is allowed, but the face and ears must be visible to school staff). Fitted pants, including opaque leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans”. Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed. Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops Athletic attire.

4. Students Cannot Wear: Violent language or images. Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity). Or any other substance prohibited under FNCF(LEGAL). Hate speech, profanity, pornography. Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups. Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments (waistbands and straps excluded). Swimsuits (except as required in class, field trips, or athletic practice see “Extracurricular Activities”). Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon. Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance).

The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the general guidelines set out above and with the student dress code outlined in the student handbook.

Extracurricular Activities The principal, in cooperation with the sponsor, coach, or other per-son in charge of an extracurricular activity, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity. Students who violate dress and grooming standards established for such an activity may be removed or excluded from the activity for a period determined by the principal or sponsor and may be subject to other disciplinary action, as specified in the Student Code of Conduct. [See FO series]

5.To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently using the requirements below.

School administration and staff shall not have discretion to vary the requirements in ways that lead to discriminatory enforcement. Campuses may have a more restrictive dress code with approval from the Campus Advisory Council and the Associate Superintendent as long as a more restrictive policy aligns with the “Purpose” defined in the policy.

a.) Students will only be removed from spaces, hallways, or classrooms as a result of a dress code violation as outlined in Sections 1 and 4 above. Students in violation of Section 1 and/or 4 will be provided three (3) options to be dressed more to code during the school day:

-Students will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.

-Students will be provided with temporary school clothing to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.

-If necessary, students’ parents may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

b.)No student should be affected by dress code enforcement because of racial identity, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious identity, household income, body size/type, or body maturity.

c.)School staff shall not enforce the school’s dress code more strictly against transgender and gender nonconforming students than other students.

d.) Students should not be shamed or required to display their body in front of others (students, parents, or staff) in school. “Shaming” includes, but is not limited to:

-kneeling or bending over to check attire fit;

-measuring straps or skirt length;

-asking students to account for their attire in the classroom or in hallways in front of others;

-calling out students in spaces, in hallways, or in classrooms about perceived dress code violations in front of others; in particular, directing students to correct sagged pants that do not expose the entire undergarment, or confronting students about visible bra straps, since visible waistbands and straps on undergarments are permitted; and,

-accusing students of “distracting” other students with their clothing.

These dress code guidelines shall apply to regular school days and summer school days, as well as any school-related events and activities, such as graduation ceremonies, dances, field trips, school trips, and prom. Students who feel they have been subject to discriminatory enforcement of the dress code should contact the Office of School Leadership at 512-414-4820 to connect with the appropriate level Associate Superintendent (Elementary, Middle, or High School).

Campuses may impose more prescriptive or standard dress code requirements, with review and approval by their campus advisory council and associate superintendent as long as the more prescriptive or standard dress code aligns with the “Purpose” defined in the policy. Campuses may require a formal uniform with review and approval by their campus advisory council and associate superintendent and approval by the Board. [See FNCA(LEGAL)]

Exceptions to these dress requirements are to be made as necessary to allow students to observe religious customs or beliefs and as necessary to accommodate medical or health needs.

This policy is effective with the beginning of the 2019–20 school year.

Website: https://www.austinisd.org/schools/martin
Location: Haskell Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3243