Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@fresnobee.com .
The Clovis Unified School District has long been known for its strict enforcement of its student dress code .
The district’s decades-old dress code, again, drew friction among parents and students in August after middle-school students were cited on the first day of school for wearing shorts deemed too short.
But how much of an outlier is Clovis Unified’s dress code?
The Bee examined student dress codes in the region’s largest school systems — the Fresno, Madera and Central school districts — and compared them with Clovis Unified.
It’s apparent that Clovis Unified’s dress code goes further in what it restricts students from wearing. Still, Clovis and its neighboring school districts share many things in common, such as prohibiting gang-related apparel and stating that their dress code policies are meant to create a positive learning environment.
Here’s where the districts’ policies are similar — and where they differ.
Hats
All four school districts generally prohibit students from wearing hats inside buildings and classrooms.
Fresno Unified doesn’t make any specific restrictions on hats in its dress code policy, though says schools can set their own rules.
While outdoors, Madera Unified says students can wear hats or caps outside only in extreme weather conditions “to protect students from the harmful effects of the sun or when the temperature falls below 40 degrees.”
In Central Unified and Clovis Unified, hats must be worn facing forward on outdoor school grounds.
Clovis Unified students are “only permitted to wear their specific school or high school area related hats,” according to the district’s policy .
Shirts
All four districts’ policies include restrictions on wearing shirts that expose students’ torso, midriff or undergarments.
In Madera Unified, students cannot wear tops or blouses if they show the midriff when students’ arms are raised above their head.
Central Unified’s dress code says students’ clothes “shall be no more than one size larger or one size smaller than the student’s regular clothing size.” Students cannot wear shirts that hang beyond mid-thigh.
The Clovis and Central districts both prohibit clothing that depicts college or professional sports logos and mascots, though permit clothing with college names and logos associated with academic programs.
Clovis Unified’s policy specifies that students cannot wear “off-the-shoulder and spaghetti straps,” and that tops must have shoulder straps a minimum of two inches wide.
Fresno Unified’s policy lists examples of inappropriate clothing, such as see-through clothing, bathing suits or cut-offs, half shirts and halters.
Shorts and skirts
Madera Unified requires shorts and skirts be longer than mid-thigh or 5 inches above the knee, whichever is longer. Pants with holes above the knee must have leggings underneath.
Central Unified says pants, shorts, and skirts must be “properly hemmed,” and leggings must be thick enough so as not to be see-through. It doesn’t specify any restrictions on length of shorts.
Neither does Fresno Unified. The district, however, notes that clothing “clothing where the entire thigh is exposed, such as micro minis or short shorts” is inappropriate.
Clovis Unified requires shorts to be “evenly hemmed and have an inseam of at least five inches.” The district prohibits students from wearing Spandex or Lycra shorts.
Clovis Unified students are not allowed to wear ripped jeans. The district requires holes in clothing “be patched from behind so that no undergarments or bare skin is exposed.” The district also prohibits the wearing of leggings that are see-through or “have mesh or ruching above the knee.” Students must wear shorts with an inseam of at least 5 inches and are prohibited from wearing “excessively baggy pants.”
Piercings
Central Unified allows earrings and nose rings but prohibits any other facial or tongue piercings.
Fresno Unified’s dress code makes no mention of piercings. Madera Unified’s policy restricts students from wearing any piercings “that create a safety issue.”
Under Clovis Unified’s dress code, students are allowed to wear piercings “in ears only.”
Hair
The dress code included in Madera Unified’s student handbook says students’ hair “must be clean and well-groomed” and doesn’t specify any other restrictions.
In Fresno Unified and Central Unified, students are in violation of their districts’ dress codes only if their hairstyles “impact the health and safety of students and staff.”
Fresno Unified’s policy notes that “clothing and hairstyles are a matter of personal choice.” Central Unified permits students to wear hairstyles and textures that include braids, locks and twists.
Clovis Unified’s policiy specifies that students are not allowed to wear mohawks or faux-hawks, nor can they wear hairstyles with unusual designs, symbols or messages. Hairstyles, such as bangs, are prohibited from covering students’ vision. The district also notified parents and students at the start of the school year that students can only wear natural hair colors.
Enforcement
One of the most obvious differences in the school districts’ dress policies is how they say they’re enforced.
Madera Unified students who frequently violate the district’s dress code face detention or on-campus suspension if they tally five or more violations.
In Central Unified, students who repeatedly violate the dress code could face suspension and possible recommendations for alternative placement.
In Clovis Unified, “a principal or designee may administer any appropriate disciplinary action” to students who violate the dress code.
Fresno Unified’s policy lets administrators at each school site determine enforcement of the dress code, but cannot suspend or expel a student “except under exigent circumstances.” According to the district, “students should be able to wear clothing without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or bodyshaming.”
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