Mandatory school uniforms won the support of more than 60 percent of Harford parents, teachers and administrators, a new survey says.
But most students opposed the required uniforms, according to the survey, reviewed Monday night by the Harford Board of Education.
The board surveyed parents, teachers, administrators and students in grades six to 12 to assess the pros and cons of requiring uniforms, which they say could foster better academics, school pride and stronger resistance to gangs.
The committee presenting the survey results recommended the board continue to study the feasibility of mandatory uniforms.
“If we had an overwhelming majority of the community say they were opposed, it?s possible the board would have just told us to stop,” said Patricia Skebeck, executive director of elementary education and a member of the school uniform committee.
Board policy allows schools to have optional uniforms.
But only the Center for Educational Opportunity, an alternative high school program for students who choose to leave their regular schools or are suspended, requires the uniforms ? khaki pants and black shirts.
“We set it up like it?s ?dress for success,? like it?s career training,” Principal Mark Buzminsky said. “We don?t treat it like punishment.”
While some opposed the uniforms, Buzminsky said, almost all 160 students in the school complied on the first day.
The survey results were broken down by type of respondent and the school level of students.
Among students, uniforms had the most support at the high school level, with nearly one-third of students in favor. Middle school students were strongly opposed: Only about 16 percent favored uniforms.
Skebeck said the committee would return to the board in January with a school-by-school breakdown of the results.
Survey results
“Harford County Public School students should be required to wear a school uniform.”
» Parents ? 58.4 percent agreed
» Students ? 22.1 percent agreed
» Teachers ? 74.5 percent agreed
» Administrators ? 80.1 percent agreed
» Total ? 46.7 percent agreed
