The ACLU of Texas announced on Wednesday that 51 school districts in the state are not adhering to the Texas CROWN Act, which bans race-based hair discrimination. The organization has called for these districts to update their dress code policies immediately.
Among the non-compliant districts are five located in North Texas: Santo ISD, Tolar ISD, Paradise ISD, Newman International Academy, and Advantage Academy. The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” prohibits discrimination in schools, workplaces, and housing authorities against hairstyles historically associated with race, such as dreadlocks, cornrows, and Afros.
“All Texas school districts — including those that we have identified — must immediately comply with the Texas CROWN Act,” stated Chloe Kempf, an attorney at the ACLU of Texas. “Not only is it the law, but it’s essential for ensuring that students of color are free to be themselves and to express their racial and cultural identity at school.”
The ACLU reviewed the dress code policies of every school district in Texas and sent letters to the 51 districts that were found to be non-compliant. Tolar ISD in North Texas responded promptly to the letter, indicating that they intend to update their policies to comply with the CROWN Act before the upcoming school year. The responses from the other districts were not immediately known.
The Texas CROWN Act, signed into law last year with strong legislative support, aims to protect individuals from race-based hair discrimination. The concept for this legislation was first introduced by social justice advocate Adjoa B. Asamoah in 2018.
Despite the law, enforcement has been inconsistent. In February, a Texas judge ruled that Barbers Hill ISD did not violate the CROWN Act when it disciplined a Black student for wearing long locs. Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School, had been placed in in-school suspension since August of the previous year due to his hairstyle. Judge Chap B. Cain III’s ruling allowed Barbers Hill ISD to maintain its dress code policy, which restricts male students from wearing hair that exceeds a certain length.
This ongoing issue underscores the challenges of implementing and enforcing the CROWN Act across all school districts in Texas. The ACLU’s findings highlight the necessity for continued vigilance and advocacy to ensure compliance and protect the rights of students of color.