ACLU of Texas Asks Hundreds of School Districts to End Discriminatory Rules

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is demanding that hundreds of Texas school districts throughout Texas end “unconstitutional and discriminatory” dress and grooming policies.

“While school districts throughout the country have removed policies that were based on antiquated sex stereotypes, many school districts in Texas still have policies that treat students differently on the basis of their gender, such as requiring different hair and dress standards for male and female students,” said Brian Klosterboer, attorney for the ACLU of Texas. “Recent court decisions, including from the U.S. Supreme Court, have found that this type of gender-based discrimination is unconstitutional. School districts need to conform to federal law and fix outdated policies that cause serious harm to students in Texas.”

The ACLU of Texas recently represented Kaden Bradford in a successful legal challenge against Barbers Hill ISD and its policy prohibiting Kaden and his cousin from wearing dreadlocks. Two weeks ago, a Texas federal court found the school district’s practices to be unconstitutional discrimination based on race and sex.

In the letters sent to 477 school districts, the ACLU of Texas warns that such policies are outdated, harmful and could leave them open to civil rights litigation. 

Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus announced their intent to take the issue up in the 2021 legislative session. The list of schools districts sent the ACLU letter is here.