Panelists Say Some School Dress Codes Target Girls, Impeding Their Learning

Eastern High School's principal apologized and the school has changed its policies after girls were turned away from their homecoming dance for violating dress code this fall. Their dresses were measured before some girls were told they cannot enter the dance, sparking controversy from parents and students who alleged such rules are sexist. And Jefferson County Public School data shows that in schools without dress codes, where rules can be applied more subjectively, girls are cited more often for dress code violations than boys. WFPL's In Conversation talked with Courier Journal Education Reporter Olivia Krauth, University of Louisville Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Chair Dawn Heinecken and Democratic State Representative Attica Scott about dress codes and whether they help students learn.