Schools often have a dress code that requires school uniforms or that limits clothing styles—such as policies of no tank tops, shorts, low-cut tops, pants worn below the waistline, or suggestive, provocative, or controversial messages. Some schools extend these dress code policies to hairstyles, headwraps, hair color, and facial hair.

These policies are sometimes challenged by students on free speech grounds (under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution) and on discrimination grounds. Schools are required to meet a high burden to justify restricting their students’ right to freedom of speech.

Each school policy and claim of a violation of law must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis but schools are generally allowed to restrict clothing, speech, and hairstyle choices only if they would likely disrupt the educational environment of the school and interfere with school activities—including by causing tension and discord among the students or teachers.

In Alaska, as in other states, schools may implement dress codes that require uniforms or restrict certain types of clothing and hairstyles. These policies can include prohibitions on tank tops, shorts, low-cut tops, sagging pants, and clothing with provocative messages. Restrictions can also extend to hairstyles, headwraps, hair color, and facial hair. While students may challenge these policies on the grounds of free speech under the First Amendment or on discrimination grounds, schools have the authority to enforce dress codes if they can demonstrate that the restricted items would likely disrupt the educational environment or interfere with school activities. This includes preventing tension and discord among students or teachers. However, any restrictions must be balanced against students' rights to free speech and expression, and each case where a violation is claimed must be evaluated individually. It's important to note that dress code policies must also comply with state and federal anti-discrimination laws, ensuring that they do not disproportionately target or affect specific groups of students.