Middle school girls banned from wearing leggings so boys can focus on school work

"Are my pants lowering your test scores?" reads a poster at Haven Middle School in Evanston, Ill., where students are protesting the dress code policy.

According to parent Juliet Bond, school officials recently enacted a dress code that forbids girls from wearing leggings, yoga pants, and shorts because they are "too distracting" for the boys. The ban has, unsurprisingly, ignited controversy among students and parents. Many girls began wearing leggings to school in protest and over 500 students signed a petition against the new dress code.

"Under no circumstances should girls be told that their clothing is responsible for boys' bad behaviors," said Bond in a letter to the school. "This kind of message lands itself squarely on a continuum that blames girls and women for assault by men."

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After the protest began, school officials said in a letter, "It has been communicated to students that 'if leggings are worn, a shirt, shorts, or skirt worn over them must be fingertip length. At Haven, dress and appearance are important components of an overall positive and respectful learning environment."

Bond and Haven officials have since met to discuss the issue and the school will be reviewing the policy in a meeting today.