School District of the City of York

“Great Expectations: Failure is Not an Option!”

Middle LevelDress Attire Proposal

Proposal for Dress Attire Policy

• All students that attend Edgar Fahs Smith MS, Hannah Penn MS and Lindbergh Academy wear a solid-colored collared polo shirt on a daily basis.

• Students will have their choice of shirt color.• Polo shirt may be long- or short-sleeved.• Polo shirt may not be longer than waist length.• Students may wear solid color sweaters or sweatshirts over top of

their polo shirts; however, the collar must be revealed.• Hooded sweatshirts will not be permitted.• Students must wear polo shirts that are sized appropriately.

Proposal for Dress Attire Policy

• Students may wear slacks or jeans to accompany their polo shirts.

• Students may opt to wear skirts, capri pants and shorts. However, bottoms must be knee length at minimum.

• Athletic shorts are not be permitted.• Students may wear solid colored tights and leggings with

a skirt• Students must wear a belt with any bottom that has belt

loops. • Students may not have holes in their clothing.

Rationale for ProposalAccording to Research…..

A uniformly dressed attire policy…• Encourages good grooming. • Promotes a strong school spirit.• Reduces classroom distractions and disruptions.• Maintains an academic focus in the classroom.• Improves classroom learning outcomes.• Increases cohesion between different groups within a

school.• Provides a clear identification of students within the

school and community.

Survey Results

• Survey conducted in various formats.• Informal Survey• Global Connect Survey• Hard Copy Survey

• Results strongly in favor of a Uniformly Dressed Attire Policy

Survey ResultsComments in favor of a Uniformly Dressed Attire Policy

• “Our youth need to know that there is an acceptable way to dress in society and to show pride in their appearance.”

• “I think it brings more of a unified spirit.”• “Great for parents and students. Implement this in

high school, please.”• “Safety issue – distinguishes from outsiders.”

Survey ResultsConcerns with a Uniformly Dressed Attire Policy

• “Uniforms serve no purpose; but are more costly and do not let children express themselves.”

• “That is extra money parents do not have.”• “I think students should have their own

individuality.”

Research

According to one survey conducted by the National Associationof Elementary School Principals (NAESP), principals of schoolsthat have a uniform dress code in place believe that studentsstay more disciplined and focused in their studies and feel less peer pressure.

North Carolina Family Policy Council, 2001

ResearchAccording to the study, principals identified the following effects of school uniforms:

• 79% believed uniforms positively affected classroom discipline.

• 67% saw an improvement in student concentration.• 62% noticed a positive effect on school safety.• 72% saw an increase in school spirit.• 85% noted a better perception of the school by the community. • 75% indicated a positive effect on peer pressure among

students.

North Carolina Family Policy Council, 2001

ResearchUniforms have been adopted either system-wide or in individual schools in many of the country’s largest districts. Districts with uniform policies include:Los Angeles, CA Long Beach, CANew York City, NY Atlanta, GAHouston, TX Dallas/Fort Worth. TX Washington, DC Baltimore, MDNew Orleans, LA Nashville, TNDetroit, MI Chicago, ILJacksonville, FL Miami, FLBoston, MA Cleveland, OHPhoenix, AZ Seattle, WA St. Louis, MO

http://www.nces.gov

Proposed Policy Changes

See Handout

Recommendations for Implementation

• Committee meetings have taken place in July and August 2011• School Board presentation August 8, 2011.• Students strongly encouraged to follow proposed dress attire

policy from start of 2011-2012 school year• Anticipated School Board approval September 21, 2011• Full implementation, required of all Edgar Fahs Smith, Hannah

Penn and Lindbergh Academy students, January 3, 2012

Examples of Inappropriate Attire

Summary• All 5th through 8th grade students and all Lindbergh Academy students

abide by the proposed Uniformly Dressed Attire policy.

• Proposed policy requires a solid-colored polo shirt for students with any school-appropriate bottom.

• The majority of The School District of the City of York survey respondents are in favor of the proposed dress attire policy.

• Numerous pros have been identified in support of Uniformly Dressed Attire policy.

• Full implementation of policy expected to be in place January 3, 2012