Consider Reviewing Your Code of Conduct To Ensure It Does Not Violate the CROWN Act

The Dignity For All Students Act (“DASA”) was amended in 2019 to prohibit discrimination or bullying related to a student’s hairstyle, commonly known as the CROWN Act. The CROWN Act protects students’ rights to wear or treat their hair however they desire, without threat of racial discrimination or loss of access to school programs or activities.

The New York State Education Department recently released guidance to assist school districts in carrying out obligations to implement the CROWN Act. The CROWN Act stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. DASA was amended by the Act to add to the definition of race traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as locks, braids and twists. Under DASA and the CROWN Act, school districts are responsible for reviewing their Code of Conduct and any dress code descriptions included in a Code of Conduct to ensure the Code does not call for discipline of students based on their natural hair texture or style. Moreover, school personnel are required to be educated on the Act and are responsible for preventing local discrimination as well as supporting all students to ensure access to the school environment.

Should you have any questions related to the CROWN Act or your District’s Code of Conduct, please do not hesitate to contact our office.