Just days before the first day of school one of Columbia's largest school districts is changing up their dress code.
Their goal is to be less restrictive and more inclusive.
According to Richland School District Two Board Chair James Manning, 423 African American students were dress coded during the 2021-2022 school year as opposed to 36 white students, 55 Hispanic or Latino students, two Asian students and 18 multi-ethnic students.
" They were the ones being dress coded which potentially removes them from the educational environment, it calls them out when they get dress coded in front of their peers. it was really an opportunity to say we have a problem and we need to address that so it can be fair for all of our students."
The new dress code rules include wearing spaghetti straps, hats in the building, ripped jeans shorts and skirts above the knees.
Manning says the decision came after many female students continued to voice their concerns at school board meetings and wrote letters.
"They made dress code to protect you, but it didn't feel protecting it just felt like attacking you all the time and constantly watching you and it just makes me feel more comfortable," said Kaelyn Felix
A former Richland School District Two student says she remembers feeling targeted about dress code in high school.
"I never wore anything inappropriate, but because of my height anything that I wore would make it look like it was inappropriate so it would be you got to go home because it was too short or to tight I am very skinny so I don't like my stuff loose," said Arrian Bright.
One student I talked with says she doesn't agree with the decision to make the dress code less restrictive.
"They have to know this is not home and you cannot be looking any kind of way because some people might be into that and that one way to get touched and caressed at the school and that's not okay," said London Bright.
Despite the dress code being less restrictive students still have to adhere to a dress code policy for their safety including the restriction of bandannas, inappropriate skin showing and full face coverings.
I called around to see if any other districts were also updating their dress code policy and no other schools were, however, Lexington- Richland Five added that id's are a part of dress code and must be worn at all times.
This dress code policy is effective starting the first day back to school.