HD27 - Model Guidelines for the Wearing of Uniforms in Public Schools
Executive Summary: House Bill 1206 These model guidelines were written during the spring of 1991 in response to House Bill 1206 relating to the wearing of uniforms in public school. This bill directed the Virginia Board of Education to develop model guidelines, by January 1, 1992, for the school board of the City of Portsmouth to use in establishing school uniform policies and procedures. Explanation The impetus for establishing school uniform programs has developed from two main sources: the current educational reform movement and parents' concern over the cost of, and their children's preoccupation with, "designer" clothes and footwear. However, both sources concur that their common goal is to establish a school environment conducive to learning, by eliminating one pervasive, stigmatizing distraction. An interdisciplinary team at the Department of Education initiated background research which included a thorough review of studies and articles from a variety of sources. A series of consultations with a nationally representative sample of schools presently operating school uniform programs was conducted, to find out the best practices and the possible pitfalls in implementing a school uniform program. The literature review produced remarkably little research in this area and no evaluations of the efficacy or short comings of a school uniform policy. Our survey of school systems with school uniform programs revealed that most were planning to publish data but evaluation results are not available yet. In compliance with the bill, these guidelines address parental and community involvement, constitutional concerns of individual rights and freedom, cost and procurement, and other relevant issues pertaining to school uniform programs. Recommendations The Virginia Department of Education team discerned that the key elements in initiating a school uniform program were as follows: • Parent and community organizations should be involved in all planning and decision making from the beginning of a school uniform program. • The uniform program should begin in elementary schools. • All policies and procedures should stress the voluntary nature of parental and student participation. • The principal and faculty of each participating school should be committed to and enthusiastic about the school uniform program. The smooth maintenance and continuity of a school uniform program are facilitated by: • Active and enthusiastic parental participation in the management of the program, • Simple procedures for reordering and rapid delivery of uniform items to accommodate transfer students and other contingencies and, • Evaluation by the school administration in the areas of self-esteem, behavior/discipline, and achievement. As the school uniform program becomes an established and integral part of the educational environment, students' continued participation in the program is fostered by the encouragement and support of school administrators, teachers, peers and parents. With the appropriate support from school administrators and the active participation of parents, guidelines such as those that follow, offer practical suggestions to any school interested in establishing a school uniform program. |
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