Dr. Todd DeMitchell has made a timely and welcome addition to the field of educational law with The Legal and Policy Challenges of Student Dress and Grooming Codes. In this volume, Dr. DeMitchell explains the important cases surrounding student dress codes and provides insightful guidance in the development of these policies. I especially commend Dr. DeMitchell for his focus on developing educationally sound student dress codes. Far too often, legal scholars focus on “what the law is” without considering the educational implications. Dr. DeMitchell does not make this mistake. Therefore, I advise practitioners, attorneys, and educational law scholars to buy this book.

Preston Green, John and Maria Neag professor of Urban Education, professor of Educational Leadership and Law, Neag School of Education, University of Conneticut

The Legal and Policy Challenges of Student Dress and GroomingCodes gives a riveting deep dive into a timely and complex education law issue such as student dress and grooming codes, by offering both a historical grounding and contemporary analysis. In advocating for an even-handed approach to balancing the rights of students with school responsibilities, the book demonstrates how multifaceted dress code and grooming issues are and how wide they can reach in their scope. This is a must-read for anyone interested in law and education policy.

Raquel Muñiz, Boston College, Lynch School of Education and Human Development and School of Law

Students express themselves in various ways through their clothing. The messages they convey may be political, religious, or personal. The Legal and Policy Challenges of Student Dress and Grooming Codes: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities provides school administrators with the tools they need to navigate the slippery slope of enforcing dress codes. Every situation is unique. Administrators who have a good understanding of the law are in a much better position to respond to those situations in a manner that is likely to be upheld if challenged. This book provides that information. It should be on every school administrator’s bookshelf.

Allan Osborne, Ed.D, chair, Editorial Advisory and Authors Committee, West's Education Law Reporter, principal (Retired), Snug Harbor Community School, Quincy, MA