Last week, The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, along with other organizations, sent letters to 51 school districts across the state that appeared to be in violation of the CROWN Act, based on the published dress codes for 2023-2024.
The CROWN Act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, aims to prohibit race-based hair discrimination in workplaces, housing authorities, and schools.
The Texas CROWN Act was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in May of 2023 and it went into effect in September of the same year.
The letters ask that the districts revise their policies in order to comply with the CROWN Act for the upcoming school year. Failing to do so, according to ALCU of Texas, leaves the districts vulnerable to legal challenges and “may negatively impact school climate by causing students of color to feel ostracized and unwelcome at school and by restricting their cultural expression.”
Among the recipients of these letters were several districts in the greater Lubbock area. One of which was Whiteface Consolidated Independent School District.
Whiteface CISD Superintendent Josh Damron told KTTZ that after receiving the letter, he and his fellow administrators went through the dress code and made revisions, which have been submitted to the school board for review and approval.
Damron said that Whiteface CISD does not have a very large Black student population, but believes that makes it even more important to be aware of the language the district is using and the values that are being communicated.
“We have to get it right for all students,” he said.
The superintendent went on to say he’s glad the ACLU of Texas reached out to Whiteface CISD.
“In this instance, I feel like we got better because of it,” Damron said.
KTTZ reached out to Bovina ISD, Cotton Center ISD, Farwell ISD, Sundown ISD, and Whitharral ISD for response, but received none before publication.
Floydada ISD and Meadow ISD were also included in the list of recipients, but according to ACLU of Texas, the districts’ superintendents responded that they plan to update their policies before the semester begins.
The state also saw some controversy surrounding the recently passed law earlier this year, when a Texas judge ruled in favor of Barbers Hill ISD enforcing a hair-length policy against a student with locs.
You can see a full list of the recipient districts and a copy of one of the letters on the ACLU of Texas’ website.