I'm suprised by those saying that uniforms are worse to police than dress code.
My DD's bff was called out of class because her tank top straps were "too thin" and she was forced to have them measured. Another kid has been called out because her shirt was too low cut. Neither of those things are going to happen with a polo shirt.
We're in AACPS and have a ton of friends with kids at the magnets that have uniforms. I truly have never heard any of them complain about dress coding at those schools the way it happens at my DD's middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students[i][u].

I definitely disagree with that last sentence. There is a parent group at my AACPS middle school trying to get uniforms precisely to TAKE AWAY the clothing policing issue. The dress coding that goes on does really significant damage to relationships between some staff and students, and absolutely takes away from instruction time - in addition to being sexist and embarrassing, especially at the middle school level.
Uniforms are far easier to implement than a dress code.

Why do you think that doesn’t happen with uniform enforcement?

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students[i][u].

I definitely disagree with that last sentence. There is a parent group at my AACPS middle school trying to get uniforms precisely to TAKE AWAY the clothing policing issue. The dress coding that goes on does really significant damage to relationships between some staff and students, and absolutely takes away from instruction time - in addition to being sexist and embarrassing, especially at the middle school level.
Uniforms are far easier to implement than a dress code.

PP-Actually, uniforms only make it easier to police which leads to the issues I mentioned but also inclusive of sexism and embarrassment. Anyone who has experienced both as an educator have lived this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students[i][u].

I definitely disagree with that last sentence. There is a parent group at my AACPS middle school trying to get uniforms precisely to TAKE AWAY the clothing policing issue. The dress coding that goes on does really significant damage to relationships between some staff and students, and absolutely takes away from instruction time - in addition to being sexist and embarrassing, especially at the middle school level.
Uniforms are far easier to implement than a dress code.

So, PGCPS has a new uniform policy that states that the school can not use disciplinary tools for uniform infractions. Basically, they can't do anything if you show up out of uniform. OTOH, there are specific disciplinary steps that can be taken for dress code violations. Policing an policy with no consequences is even more of a power struggle and will take away from instruction time.
PGCPS has a very well defined dress code policy that is gender neutral. I'm sure that enforcement could be sexist but the general policy is that you must be covered from collar bone to below your fingertips. You must have sleeves and not flip flops or head coverings.
The staff (including the AP) were surprised when I brought up that you can't take disciplinary action for uniform violations so this may change their thinking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students[i][u].

I definitely disagree with that last sentence. There is a parent group at my AACPS middle school trying to get uniforms precisely to TAKE AWAY the clothing policing issue. The dress coding that goes on does really significant damage to relationships between some staff and students, and absolutely takes away from instruction time - in addition to being sexist and embarrassing, especially at the middle school level.
Uniforms are far easier to implement than a dress code.

Why do you think that doesn’t happen with uniform enforcement?

As a PP said, several AACPS elem and middle schools have uniforms - I think most, if not all, of the magnet middle schools have them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students[i][u].

I definitely disagree with that last sentence. There is a parent group at my AACPS middle school trying to get uniforms precisely to TAKE AWAY the clothing policing issue. The dress coding that goes on does really significant damage to relationships between some staff and students, and absolutely takes away from instruction time - in addition to being sexist and embarrassing, especially at the middle school level.
Uniforms are far easier to implement than a dress code.

Anonymous wrote:Uniforms exist in some middle schools in AACPS like MacArthur, Meade, Bates, and Lindale Middle Schools. Usually something like a colored polo and khakis.

Yes - my nephews attend a public ES in Anne Arundel and they have to wear a uniform.

Uniforms in public schools—only in ones with poor URMs.

Uniforms exist in some middle schools in AACPS like MacArthur, Meade, Bates, and Lindale Middle Schools. Usually something like a colored polo and khakis.

We do not have uniforms in MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students.

Thanks for this. I need to do more reading on the subject.
There are a lot of false narratives around uniforms and it would be helpful to have evidence based publications to cite.

Update- there was a parent/teacher meeting and the Principal said that they just wanted to start the conversation. She seemed sincere but the teaching staff all seemed to think that uniforms would be beneficial. There were a ton of parents in the call so folks are paying attention.
Getting a mandatory uniform policy in place isn't easy so we will see what happens.

Anonymous wrote:Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.

According to federal government statistics, uniforms are implemented as a school safety measure alongside security guards (SROs), ID badges, metal detectors, etc. Uniforms are indeed pushed in minority populated schools and districts. My two decades in education in the DMV also bares this out.

Having said that, Kenmoor’s aim is control, which is the real reason uniforms are pushed in minority settings. Uniforms do not make a school setting more safe for any stakeholder and students do not learn better, nor are they more focused, while wearing uniforms.

Also, uniforms bring a whole host of policing issues that actually take away from instruction and foster negative relationships between some staff and students.

Our PGCPS middle school is trying to convince the parents to adopt a uniform policy. They cite security concerns in the new building (Kenmoor) since it is so large. I call BS on this.
I'm curious do any other counties require their students to wear uniforms?
It seems like it is targeted towards lower SES areas which is troubling to me.