Re: Will uniforms help improve test scores?

[Kathie Humes <schumes3@HOME.COM>]

No, Karen, it does not have to be a unanimous decision....from what I can
tell, there are no unanimous decisions (except perhaps in the fixed world of
boxing?).  I am a believer in open and explicit process. I think this
decision should reflect the decision making process of the school and  the
process for making the decision needs to be explicit from the beginning, the
% vote specified in advance (probably high, in this case, two thirds or so
to make it work), the opportunities for discussion well publicized, the
method of choosing the uniform inclusive, the phase in time ( such as
optional the first year, mandatory the second), etc.    All of this needs to
be agreed upon in ADVANCE of the discussion.

What makes me crazy as a parent in the public schools is the top down
decisionmaking by folks who haven't been in a school since their own
graduation day -- or only visit on "Visitors' Day."  Every school is
different, the culture of every school is different and each school has a
unique recipe for success.  Uniforms will offer advantages in some
schools--and be an utter disaster in others.  School boards do not know
enough about the individual schools to make these decisions -- wise school
board should step out of the way and develop and foster site based decision
making (and site based leaders!).

I think communities can make wise choices -- and the minority can abide with
the decisions of the majority -- when the process is perceived as open, fair
and explicit (so I guess that eliminates the 2001 Presidential selection).
And the more we treat and respect our schools as functioning communities,
the more successful they will be.

Kathie
-----Original Message-----
From: Assessment Reform Network Mailing List
[mailto:ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU]On Behalf Of Karen Canty
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 1:14 PM
To: ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU
Subject: Re: Will uniforms help improve test scores?


Kathie,

I agree with you but does it have to be the choice of all the families and
children who attend the school?  What do you do when a majority of
parents/children do want uniforms but the rest (however many that is) do
not?  And what if it is only ONE family who does not?  I'm sorry but I have
worked as a school board member for too long in a mostly homogeneous
community where one would assume that parents/students would agree on a lot
of things but have discovered that that is simply not the case.....

Karen

-----Original Message-----
From: Assessment Reform Network Mailing List
[mailto:ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU]On Behalf Of Kathie Humes
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 12:10 PM
To: ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU
Subject: Re: Will uniforms help improve test scores?


I think Juanita can chime in and sing a chorus of "parental choice" here,
but I'll do my best first.

Uniforms are fine IF AND ONLY IF they are the choice of the families and
children who attend the school.  Some families believe that uniforms reduce
clothing costs,clothing competition, and clothing battles.   NOTHING works
when it is mandated from above without the consent of those affected.

Let the schools decide what is best for their community.

In my always humble opinion,

Kathie
-----Original Message-----
From: Assessment Reform Network Mailing List
[mailto:ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU]On Behalf Of kber
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 2:22 AM
To: ARN-L@listsrva.CUA.EDU
Subject: Re: Will uniforms help improve test scores?


how far do you think that dress could should be allowed to go before they
would
also depersonalize students?

Ken Bernstein

Judi Hirsch wrote:

> uniforms de-personalize people which is why they are used in prisons and
> armies. I think they are BAD for children and others too.
> Judi
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Carol Holst <kceh@AIRMAIL.NET>
> To: <ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU>
> Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2001 7:24 PM
> Subject: Will uniforms help improve test scores?
>
> > I've wondered for some time about the possibility of a correlation to
> > the Texas test craziness and public school uniforms. Somebody sent me
> > this link. Kinda makes me wonder...
> > ====================
> >
> > Debates about school uniforms tend to focus on possible outcomes: Will
> > uniforms be good for discipline? Will they help improve test scores? But
> > any discussion about requiring school uniforms must also consider
> > whether uniform policies are lawful.
> >
> > http://www.asbj.com/2001/07/0701schoollaw.html
> >
>
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