Having taught in public schools during the 1970s, I witnessed firsthand some rules and policies that would shock today’s parents and educators. While these regulations were meant to maintain order and discipline, they often reflected the era’s unique attitudes toward education and child development. Here’s a look at twenty school rules from the 1970s that would never be accepted in modern classrooms.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Left-Hand Writing Restrictions
- 2 2. Girls’ Skirt Length Measurements
- 3 3. Mandatory Smoking Areas
- 4 4. Paddle Punishment Permissions
- 5 5. Gender-Specific Classes
- 6 6. No Pants for Girls Rule
- 7 7. Hair Length Checks for Boys
- 8 8. Pregnancy Expulsion Policy
- 9 9. Dress Code Weight Standards
- 10 10. Mandatory Prayer Time
- 11 11. Telephone Permission Slips
- 12 12. Posture Class Requirements
- 13 13. Mandatory Milk Consumption
- 14 14. Handwriting Grade Impact
- 15 15. Gender-Separated Entrances
- 16 16. Ruler-Width Dating Rules
- 17 17. Mandatory Shower Inspections
- 18 18. Finger-Length Shorts Rule
- 19 19. Silent Lunch Periods
- 20 20. Classroom Flag Monitors
1. Left-Hand Writing Restrictions
Many schools still forced left-handed students to write with their right hands. Teachers would often tie a student’s left hand to their chair or desk to prevent its use. This practice, believed to prevent everything from poor penmanship to moral deficiency, continued well into the 1970s in some districts.
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2. Girls’ Skirt Length Measurements
Female students had to kneel on the floor while teachers measured their skirt length. The rule stated that skirts must touch the ground when kneeling. Girls caught with “inappropriate” lengths were sent home or required to wear gym clothes for the remainder of the day.
3. Mandatory Smoking Areas
Many high schools had designated smoking areas for students, complete with ashtrays and benches. Written parental permission was required, and smoking was only allowed during specific break times. These areas were often supervised by faculty members who would ensure proper smoking etiquette.
4. Paddle Punishment Permissions
Parents signed blanket permissions for corporal punishment at the start of each school year. Many schools had specific paddles, often crafted in wood shop classes, with rules about thickness and number of holes allowed. Some administrators kept records of swats given in official ledgers.
5. Gender-Specific Classes
Girls were required to take home economics while boys took shop class. No exceptions were made regardless of student interest or aptitude. These gender-specific requirements were considered essential preparation for traditional adult roles.
6. No Pants for Girls Rule
Girls were required to wear dresses or skirts, even in freezing weather. Some schools only allowed girls to wear pants under their skirts while walking to school, requiring removal upon arrival. This rule remained in place at many schools until the mid-1970s.
7. Hair Length Checks for Boys
Boys’ hair couldn’t touch their shirt collars or ears. Administrators would conduct regular checks with rulers, sending violators home until they got haircuts. Some schools even kept clippers in the office for emergency compliance cuts.
8. Pregnancy Expulsion Policy
Pregnant students were automatically expelled to protect other students from “negative influence.” These students were often directed to special schools or correspondence courses. The policy typically only affected female students, with male partners facing no consequences.
9. Dress Code Weight Standards
Some schools maintained weight guidelines for students wearing certain clothing styles. Girls above specific weights were prohibited from wearing particular outfits. Regular weigh-ins were conducted in some districts as part of physical education classes.
10. Mandatory Prayer Time
Despite Supreme Court rulings, many schools continued morning prayers and Bible readings well into the 1970s. Students who didn’t participate were often required to stand in hallways or visit the principal’s office during these sessions.
11. Telephone Permission Slips
Students needed written permission from teachers to use the school’s only phone, usually located in the main office. Each call was logged in a notebook with reason and duration. Emergency calls home required a teacher to dial the number and listen to the conversation.
12. Posture Class Requirements
Girls were required to attend special posture classes, often walking with books balanced on their heads. Poor posture could affect grades in physical education. Some schools conducted weekly posture evaluations during morning assemblies.
13. Mandatory Milk Consumption
Students were required to drink their daily milk at lunch, regardless of preferences or lactose intolerance. Teachers monitored milk consumption and kept records. Empty cartons had to be shown before students could leave the cafeteria.
14. Handwriting Grade Impact
Poor penmanship could lower grades in any subject, regardless of content knowledge. Some schools required students to rewrite entire assignments if handwriting didn’t meet standards. Special penmanship classes were mandatory for students with “deficient” handwriting.
15. Gender-Separated Entrances
Many schools maintained separate entrances for boys and girls, a holdover from earlier decades. Using the wrong entrance could result in detention. These segregated entrances often led to different sections of the building where classes were also gender-separated.
16. Ruler-Width Dating Rules
During school dances, couples had to maintain enough space between them to fit a ruler. Teachers would actually walk around with rulers to check. Violations resulted in immediate separation and potential suspension from future social events.
17. Mandatory Shower Inspections
Physical education teachers checked off students who took mandatory showers after class. Some schools used special soap that changed color when wet as proof of shower participation. Skipping showers could affect physical education grades.
18. Finger-Length Shorts Rule
Shorts had to extend beyond fingertips when arms were held straight at sides. This rule applied even during hot weather and physical education classes. Students violating this rule were often required to wear gym uniforms for the remainder of the day.
19. Silent Lunch Periods
Many schools enforced silent lunch periods where no talking was allowed. Teachers used traffic light systems or clapping patterns to control noise levels. Violations could result in extended silence periods or separate seating arrangements.
20. Classroom Flag Monitors
Students were assigned as flag monitors with strict rules about flag handling and folding. Improper flag etiquette could result in removal from monitor duty and disciplinary action. These positions were considered high-status roles that came with special privileges.
