Back in the day, many school policies were rooted in outdated traditions and limited personal expression and inclusivity. Even basic freedom was a far cry. It wasn’t uncommon for administrators to censor student voices and enforce rigid appearance standards in the 70s.

Fast forward to now, and many of those rules seem downright unthinkable. Thanks to evolving social attitudes and a growing emphasis on student rights, modern schools focus more on equity and respect for personal choice. But just how much has changed? Let’s find out more.

Corporal Punishment

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Misbehaving usually meant more than detention. It meant a wooden paddle, sometimes wielded with gusto by teachers or principals. Today, corporal punishment is banned in most states and replaced by disciplinary methods that focus on positive reinforcement rather than fear.

Gender-Specific Dress Codes

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Forget about wearing pants to school if you were a girl in the ‘70s—skirts and dresses were mandatory. While boys had no such restrictions, girls had to brave winter winds with bare legs. With time, dress codes have become far more inclusive and are more about comfort and self-expression.

Mandatory Pledge of Allegiance

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Every morning, students had to stand, hand on heart, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance—whether they wanted to or not. Refusal could land them in serious trouble. With increasing focus on individual rights and religious freedoms, students can now opt out of these activities.

Ban on Native Languages

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Native American students were often punished for speaking their indigenous languages at school in an attempt to erase cultural identity. In contrast, many modern schools actively promote bilingual education and indigenous language preservation programs.

No Special Education Services

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Before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, many students with disabilities were simply excluded from school or placed in inadequate programs. After the act, public schools are required to provide accommodations to support all learners.

Censorship of Student Publications

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School newspapers were heavily controlled by administrators, who could censor anything remotely controversial. Students these days have stronger protections for free speech, with laws limiting school interference in journalism.

Segregated Extracurricular Activities

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Some schools would divide clubs and sports teams, usually based on gender or race, which restricted opportunities. Fortunately, you don’t have to belong to a certain race or gender anymore to have extracurriculars. These activities are open to all and emphasize diversity and inclusion over outdated separation.

Strict Appearance Policies

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Many schools banned certain clothing, particularly those tied to cultural identity. That’s not the case today. Strict appearance discrimination laws are gaining traction and protect students’ rights to express themselves in whatever clothing they find appropriate as long as they are suitable for school.

No Sex Education

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In many schools, sex education was either nonexistent or limited to vague warnings about “staying pure.” If anything, it caused more trouble and created confusion and intrigue. Comprehensive sex education is far more common in recent curriculums, where the main focus is teaching students about health, relationships, and consent.

Segregated Schooling

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Brown v. Board of Education outlawed segregation in 1954, but some schools remained effectively segregated well into the ’70s due to redlining and other systemic barriers. Efforts continue to promote diversity and equal opportunity in education, but most schools have rid themselves of segregation.

No Political Expression

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Wearing a political button or expressing a controversial opinion could get you suspended. Students’ rights to free speech in today’s times are much more protected as long as they don’t disrupt the learning environment.

Mandatory Home Economics for Girls

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Girls were required to take home economics, while boys took shop classes. It was as if education discriminated between the genders and focused on shaping girls as future wives. Students now get to take whatever courses interest them without outdated gender expectations.

Punishing Left-Handed Students

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Some teachers forced left-handed students to switch to their right hand, believing left-handedness was wrong or a sign of weakness. Today, this practice is seen as archaic and harmful, with left-handed students free to write as they naturally do.

Bans on Cultural Hairstyles

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Afros and braids were often deemed “unprofessional” or against school dress codes. Thankfully, anti-discrimination laws are helping to protect students’ right to wear their hair naturally, without fear of punishment.

Alexander Zarowski