A Shameful Suit

Who could have imagined that a modern day "Scarlet Letter" would happen in this day and age, resulting in unimaginable violations of rights?
             At a Florida high school, a 15 year old girl was forced to wear a so-called “shame suit” after being told that her skirt was too short for the dress code. Instead of going home to change or having a parent drop off spare clothes, the administration made her

Girl forced to wear "Shame suit" at High School

change into a neon colored T-shirt with the words “DRESS CODE VIOLATION” in bold. A pair of bright red sweat pants were an addition to this outfit. 

        This act violated the girl’s rights as a student because it publicized her discipline. In this case, the school punishment violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act*. By wearing an outfit all day that demonstrated her “violation” of dress code, it directly violated this act since the school did not have written permission from the parent or student to display this information.
        In this specific high school, violating the dress code results in either being forced to wear this “shame suit,” humiliating the student, or suspension. No student should have to face this indignity in front of the student body and faculty. 
           This “punishment” was more than just making her change- it exaggerates a “Scarlet A,” showing everyone that she violated the rules.

*For more information on FERPA, see FERPA .
For more information, see Shame Suit Violation .