10 School Rules That Were Common But Would Be Banned Today

These now-controversial school rules were once the norm, but today they’d spark outrage, lawsuits, or even federal investigations.

Alyana Aguja
July 4, 2025
4 min read

10 School Rules That Were Common But Would Be Banned Today — Ivan Aleksic from Unsplash

Once viewed as tools for discipline and conformity, many traditional school rules have since been challenged and overturned for being discriminatory, abusive, or outdated. From paddling to banning native languages, these practices reflected broader social biases rather than educational best practices. Today, educators and lawmakers are working to create school environments that respect students’ rights, dignity, and diverse identities.

1. Paddling Students for Misbehavior

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In the past, it wasn’t shocking for teachers or principals to use paddles as a form of discipline. Some schools even kept them on display like trophies in the principal’s office. Today, that would be considered physical abuse, and lawsuits would fly before the paddle ever touched a desk.

2. Dress Codes That Policed Girls’ Bodies

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Many schools had strict dress codes that disproportionately targeted girls, banning spaghetti straps, short skirts, or even showing collarbones. The reasoning often boiled down to “not distracting the boys,” which placed blame on girls for others’ behavior. Modern schools are being pushed to revise these rules for being sexist and body-shaming.

3. Forcing Right-Handed Writing

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Left-handed kids were once forced to write with their right hands, sometimes with rulers smacking their knuckles if they resisted. This wasn’t just about handwriting — it was a misguided attempt to “correct” what was seen as a flaw. Today, we understand it as unnecessary, damaging, and disrespectful to natural development.

4. No Speaking Unless Called On

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The old “silent unless spoken to” rule meant students could be punished just for talking in class — even if it was about the lesson. Collaboration and discussion were seen as disruptive rather than learning tools. Now, educators value peer interaction and use it to fuel critical thinking.

5. Bathroom Pass Limits

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Some schools would only let students use the bathroom a certain number of times a semester or require them to “earn” passes with good behavior. Students with medical conditions or anxiety were often humiliated or forced to hold it. This rule would be illegal in many places today under health and disability laws.

6. Hair and Appearance Restrictions

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Afros, braids, dyed hair, even natural curls — many schools had rules banning them under vague terms like “distracting” or “unprofessional.” These policies often discriminated against Black and ethnic students. In today’s climate, those rules are being overturned by legislation like the CROWN Act, which protects cultural and natural hairstyles.

7. Banning LGBTQ+ Expression

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Just wearing a rainbow pin or bringing a same-gender date to prom could get you in trouble in many schools a couple of decades ago. Some even had rules explicitly banning discussions of LGBTQ+ topics. Today, while struggles continue, these policies are widely condemned and in many cases, legally prohibited.

8. Corporal Punishment for Academic Failure

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In some schools, failing a quiz didn’t just mean a bad grade — it could mean kneeling on rice, pushups, or writing lines for hours as punishment. The logic was to “motivate” students through shame or pain. Now, it’s understood that this kind of punitive approach damages mental health and motivation.

9. No Speaking Your Native Language

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Students from immigrant or Indigenous communities were often punished for speaking their first language at school. From verbal reprimands to physical punishment, this rule was rooted in assimilationist and colonial mindsets. It’s now seen as a violation of cultural rights and language preservation.

10. Mandatory Gendered Uniforms

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Girls wore skirts, boys wore slacks — no exceptions. Trans and non-binary students had no option to dress according to their identity, and resistance often meant detention or worse. More schools now offer gender-neutral uniform choices or allow students to opt for what aligns with their gender identity.