I kinda sorta agree with the schools's footing. I went to school in uniform and long hair down to my shoulders. I had to cut it before being admitted. Now I have long hair, I twirl it too
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This was with the mentality that, in school, we're there for one reason and one reason only. To focus on education. Yes, anything 'different' so to speak would be a distraction. The part I disagree with the school is not using uniforms. I guess they should just leave it at let the hair be neat, do whatever you want with it after hours but have it ready for an interview at 8AM every morning. Simple discipline.
Will, weren't you the same person who once said that school is to teach you how to cope with an environment that you cannot change? Laws that you have very little power over? Your post disappoints me.
Of self expression I have to say no. In a classroom is not OK to walk in with a mohawk despite the fact that you have the highest grades. Other classes such as drama or arts, maybe but when it comes to theory and philosophy, I have to go with dress decently. A good hairstyle does not necessarily keep good kids good, that's not my point. My point is when I see free expression in the classroom, I tend to wonder what else your so "free" to express.