School Committee will ask State to Change Law Restricting Father-Daughter Dances

The Cranston School Committee will take up the issue of father-daughter dances on Monday in an effort to preserve the tradition.

School Committee Chairwoman Andrea Iannazzi said the committee will consider a resolution that would ask state leaders to change state law to mirror federal law. The change would let schools hold "traditional yet inclusive events," she said.

It would mean the city would have to name dances a little differently, much like other school districts around the state have been doing for years. Instead of a father-daughter's dance, the dance would be called something like "ladies choice," which allows young girls to choose any adult figure to come to the dance with them.

The dances were banned earlier this year after the ACLU contacted the school district with concerns about the practice. A parent had complained to the ACLU after her daughter reportedly was unable to attend a father-daughter dance.

The ban sparked outrage among many parents and the story has since become national news.

It turns out that the father-daughter dances haven't been such the tradition that some people claim. The district had not hosted any such dances for almost a decade until about two years ago, when they were resurrected in an effort to drum up school spirit and participation.

The ban officially went into effect four months ago, which is when the ACLU and school officials wrapped up their discussions.

Read more of our coverage about the issue:

Updated: After ACLU Complaint, Father-Daughter Dances No More in Cranston

ACLU: Not Every Girl wants to be Cinderella

Mayor: "Utterly Disappointed" with Father-Daughter Dance Ban