In a recent decision, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the defense of a North Carolina public charter school’s controversial requirement that girls wear skirts.
The school’s uniform policy, which was aimed at promoting traditional values, faced allegations of gender discrimination and a violation of equal protection rights under the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Supreme Court Rejects Charter School’s Skirt Policy
Charter Day School Inc, located in Leland, North Carolina, had appealed a lower court’s ruling that found its dress code policy to be discriminatory.
The school, which provides a traditional-values-based education to students from kindergarten to Grade 8, argued that the uniform policy fostered discipline and mutual respect between genders.
Founder Baker Mitchell justified the policy by claiming it treated women as fragile vessels deserving of protection and honor from men.
However, the plaintiffs contended that the dress code perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes and violated the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection.
The lower court agreed with the plaintiffs, prompting the school to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case upholds the lower court’s ruling and reinforces the principle that charter schools, despite being privately operated, must comply with constitutional requirements of equal protection when they receive public funding.
Charter schools in North Carolina are funded by the state and are open to all students, operating as tuition-free alternatives to traditional public schools.
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Supreme Court Upholds Equal Rights, Rejects Gender Bias in Charter School Dress Code
By rejecting the appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed that Charter Day School’s dress code policy unfairly targeted female students, as only boys were permitted to wear pants or shorts.
The court’s decision sends a clear message that girls attending public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers in other public schools, including the freedom to choose their attire.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented the plaintiffs, praised the court’s action.
Ria Tabacco Mar, an attorney with the ACLU, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all girls can learn in safe and equal environments and vowed to continue fighting for this cause.
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