Dress Codes; Extended School Year, etc.
As the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said, “The only thing that never changes is change itself.” He could well have been looking into the distant future and referring to 21 st-century American education. Among the many topics actively debated both locally and nationally are those of dress codes, an extended school year [week and day], distance learning, and magnet schools, to name a few.
Dress codes came to the forefront of the education news in the Jackson-Madison County School System for the 2007-2008 school year. The dress code stipulated that “Students should dress in a clean, neat, and modest manner so as not to distract or interfere with the operation of the school.” Specific information as to the guidelines were given, along with the penalties for noncompliance.
http://www.jmcss.net/PR_050407_dresscode.htm. School systems nationwide have enforced dress codes established for the same reason with the Detroit [Michigan} Public Schools adding that “All students, including students exempted from the student dress code, are expected to exemplify proper grooming standards in a manner that projects an appropriate image for the student, school, and district.” http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/resources/students/dress_code.shtml. An overview of policies regarding dress codes, including court decisions, can be found at http://www.ecs.org.
Magnet schools represent another major change in the configuration of school districts. The Jackson Madison County School System web site offers a definition of magnet schools and a description of the academic focus of the magnet schools in the county. http://jmcss.net/SCHmagnetMain.asp. A rationale for the concept underlying the creation of magnet schools and an extended example of how magnet schools have been implemented in the Arkansas’ Hot Springs School District was described in “A Choice That Works,” (Jackson, 2007). Because of diminished enrollment in the district’s schools, the magnet schools were begun to “stabilize enrollment, increase achievement, and improve diversity within system” (p.34).
Distance learning has become ubiquitous in higher education. It has begun to make inroads in secondary education in response to a need to provide expanded and enriched curricula to schools unable to offer such courses due largely to geographic location and size of the school. Students who have had difficulty interacting productively and positively within the traditional schools frequently find online schooling to suit their learning styles. To find out more about distance education in public schools and for a virtual tour of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Go to http://www.dlt.ncssm.edu or contact haughty@ncssm.edu.
The extended school day, week, and/or year is also a hot topic in education across the United States. Many variations on the theme are being implemented. Theola LabbA reported in the Washington Post, Saturday, January 19, 2008, that District of Columbia schools are offering a weekend test prep program to help students pass standardized tests. (http://www.washingtonpost.com). An article in the Baltimore Sun written by Karen Nitkin, January 25, 2008, tells about the after-school programs in Learning Centers that offer homework help and activities for students. In the article, “Staying late after school,” Nitkin elaborated on the 3:10 p.m. to 5 p.m. programs and how they are set up. One mother praised the Community Learning Center in her six-year-old’s school for his improvement in reading and, mostly, give credibility to the extended time exposure to schooling for America’s students. “Year-Round Schools Look Better All the Time,” by Vanessa St. Gerard, Education Digest, April 2007, pp. 56-58, and “Effects of School Calendars on Student Achievement and Retention,” Allison C. Woodward, Valdosta State University, December 1995, an older study but a significant piece of research.
These emergent issues and the changes they have fostered are the tip of the proverbial iceberg. You will be the teachers who make a difference in seeing that the schools in which you teach embrace the projects that will bring our education system into sync with the young people of the contemporary cultures.
Jackson, L.D. (2007, December). A choice that works. American School Board Journal, 194(12),pp.34-35.
What do you think about school dress codes and uniforms? Do you think school uniforms are desirable or undesirable?
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11 comments:
As a parent, I appreciate and uphold the dress code and thank the school system for implementing it. It equips children with what they will be faced with in the real world; it demonstrates proper dress attire when it comes to the workforce. It diminishes individuality; it builds self-esteem for those who are unable to purchase the name brand clothing, and it eliminate peer pressure.
Uniforms will be the solution to take a child’s mind away from how they are dressed so they would be more focused on their studies. School uniforms are desirable and relevant to take the pressure off the teachers that spend to much time deciding if what a child is wearing meets the standards and guidelines set fourth by the school system. A parent that is on a strict budget will be able to purchase five pair of slacks and five shirts for the entire school year. Uniforms will be a valuable asset to be used to put our children’s mind in the right prospective when it comes to what they may be subjected to wear on the job. It also shows how it could affect the mindset of a potential employer’s first impression about them and impact the decision rather or not to make them apart of their organization.
The majority of students are reluctant to appreciate how the dress codes and uniforms will effect their lives in the future.
I look forward to your feedback.
Brenda Anderson
As a teacher and guardian of a child, I understand and agree with the implementation of dress codes in school. The dress codes offer some very obvious postives, but there are also some negatives associated with them.
Many of the postives have already been stated by Brenda, such as getting students prepared to enter the workplace and eliminating peer pressure and much of the teasing. The dress code also helps cut down on the "sexy" attire many of the young ladies like to wear and the "gang" related attire worn my many of the young men.
The problem with the dress code is the enforcement. Many teachers feel that the dress code is not important enough to enforce, so the burden of enforement is put on the handfull of teachers that do adhere to the regulations strictly. The other problem is that many of the young people sent out of regular classes for a dress code violation are the same young people that need to be in class the most.
Another problem with dress codes are they still allow for too much interpretation. My niece has had notes sent home for violations that my wife and I didn't catch and I have had "training" on what is and is not allowed. I imagine it is even tougher for parents not associated with the school system.
The uniforms that will be implemented next year will make enforcement easier and will cut down on the ambiguity of the current dress code. I am just not sure why we didn't put them into effect this year. It would have made things much easier on the teachers and the parents.
David Perry
As you can tell from our posts, Brenda and I agree on much of the points associated with dress codes. The one thing she did point out that I neglected to think about was the effect uniforms will have on families living at or very close to the poverty line. It will be much cheaper to outfit students in the clothing required for uniforms. A child could start school with just a couple of pair of pants and a few shirts if the parents couldn't afford to purchase all of the year's clothing at the beginning of the year.
David Perry
Well hello Mr. Perry,
It’s good that we both see eye to eye when it comes to the dress code issues. I personally feel that if the dress code were implemented this year, next year would run without impediment. Because the student’s as well as the parent’s would have had this year to do all of their bickering, so teachers could devote their undivided attention to dealing with their classroom environment. I also agree that the dress code leaves too much room for interpretation.
I look forward to your feedback.
Brenda Anderson
When I was in school I remember being able to wear whatever we wanted, holes in our jeans, biker shorts ect. Come to think of it now there were days when when some kids looked just plain sloppy like they just rolled out of bed. As I got older so called "dress codes" were put in place. This meant that your shorts could not be too short and that your T-shirts could not be promote violence but that was the extent of it.
As I got older I wished that we had uniforms, picking out clothes every morning that looked "cool" become a chore and I often found myself wishing that I had something else to wear.
As an parent I am in favor of dress codes. I realize that everyone has a different style and choice of self-expression but the older I get and the more I see younger kids trying to look "older" I am convinced that the eight or so hours that kids our in school should be used for learning and not a fashion show. Every child no matter where they are from has the right to walk into school and have some since of feeling equal to everyone else. There are enough pressures that children face in school today without having to worry if their clothes fit in with their classmates.
I am also in favor of "uniforms," the same style shirt and pants in similar colors I think that this just makes life easier for everyone, children and parents alike. My ten year old loved wearing a uniform, the only choice he had to make in the morning was which color shirt (out of four) he wanted to wear.
My only complaint is of the policy of some schools to mandate the use certain uniform companies. A few years ago my son's private school went to uniforms and required all parents to purchase uniforms from a high-priced uniform store. Each shirt was about three times the cost of a similar shirt that could have been purchased and Wal-mart or Target. I think that if schools are to go to uniforms that they should give options that are cost effective for all families.
David,
You touched on the the reason of why I am in favor of uniforms. I agree, if you are going to have a "dress code" you need to make in easy to comply with and interpret. Parents should not have the added stress in the morning to have to determine if their child is dressed appropriately if the standards are subjective to their interpretation.
as well as that of the teacher.
Susan Hutchens ( The above is mine)
I believe that dress codes for Jackson-Madison schools will play a vital, favorable role in the advancement of education. As a mother of six, implementing uniforms can be an important educational tool. The years my children spent in uniform(eight years between the six of them) were wonderful! I appreciated the years where their were no choices in the uniforms the best. During these years, there were no morning or late-night arguments about what to wear. Through the years, I have heard it said that uniforms take away from children's individuality. I believe in taking away the very real peer pressure to dress in a certain way, children can focus their uniqueness in their essay questions, writing, and art assignments to name only a few alternatives.
Uniforms are a valuable educational tool. There is a very real and documented need to improve our current public schools. Parents should support, if not embrace, the effort to seek
all effort being made to address educational needs. Uniforms do relieve pressure from both students and teachers. Valuable educational time will be increased without arguing about current dress code violations. Uniforms may not solve all of our public school issues, but it is a worthy option not yet explored and very welcomed by this public school parent.
Ann Hitchon(above comment)
I agree with all points made in the previous comments. Peer pressure, valuable educational time, and future value in the work place are excellent reasons for uniforms. Even Susan's comment about economic values being given as options, is no reason not to implement uniforms. Even the years that I was required to purchase more expensive uniforms from uniform stores was worth the extra money that I believe my children gained in focused educational value and time. I am glad to see support and encouragement for the changes to come in Jackson-Madison schools dress code.
I can see the value in having a uniform policy in the schools. My son finished school before Jackson Madison County Schools began exploring a uniform policy and my daughter only experienced one year of wardrobe limitations. During her senior year, her school required that they wear tucked in polo shirts with only a small logo. They were also expected to wear a belt. They could only wear school branded hoodies. I noticed that within weeks, she had learned, as did her friends, how to get around these regulations and which teachers enforced them. She would leave for school looking like her shirt was tucked in and then later i would discover it to be just rolled up. At various times when i found myself at the school for inquiries of the guidance counselor about college, etc...I discovered that many of the students "fudged" on the regulations.
I believe that to have a successful uniform policy, It has to be an "all" or "none" policy. By that, I mean a rigid, enforced,full uniform policy with only a select variety and color of allowed pants, skirts, and tops as the wardrobe. Allow the students to obtain these at various locations and not just expensive uniform shops or provide a program for assisting the families with financial hardships. From what I observed before, local retailers did attempt to stock what the schools had required.
A uniform policy is a good thing for education. It reduces distraction, promotes a sense of equality and simplifies the morning routine. I am encouraged that our local school system is implementing one.
I welcome your input. Each day is new. The last post was mine. Sarah
David,
I agree that enforcement of the dress code is critical. If the students don't anticipate that the code will be enforced then they may not attempt to abide by it. If parents believe the dress code is optional then they won't invest in it.
You also mentioned the current trend for the female students to dress provocatively and the gang wear that is seen in the schools. These are major distractions to the educational experience. If the students don't view school as just a place to "see" and "be seen" then they may actually get some studying done. I appreciate your observation.
Each day is new. Sarah
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