D.C. Public Schools students could be trading halter tops and low-cut jeans for khakis and polo shirts next year due to a uniform policy recently enacted by Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
The policy authorizes school principals to “establish and implement mandatory uniform policies for the 2009-2010 school year” and beyond, and lays out guidelines far more detailed than the district’s previous policy.
As in the past, individual school codes must be gender-neutral and designed to promote an environment of respect and cleanliness. The new policy, however, takes pains to close any potential loopholes.
“Extremes in style and fit and extremes in style of grooming, as determined by the principal, will not be permitted,” it says. And “non-prescriptive sunglasses, hats, clothing that exposes armpits, a bare-back or midriff, see-through clothing, and accessories with protruding metal spikes are not to be worn.”
The biggest change, however, is that principals can require every student to comply with the dress code. The final clause in the previous policy neutralized its effect by stating that no student could be penalized for noncompliance.
The new policy “responds to the interest of a number of school communities,” said Rhee’s spokeswoman, Dena Iverson, adding that schools have received “widespread parental support” for the idea.
Students will be penalized for failing to abide by the new rules, but the policy prohibits turning them away from school or assigning out-of-school suspension. Schools are directed, too, to have extra uniform clothing on hand, and to help accommodate students too poor to purchase new clothing.
George Parker, president of the Washington Teachers Union, heard about the new plan Friday afternoon and voiced support for it.
“They help to set a more disciplined tone, number one, and number two, having uniforms helps to remove the stigma that some children have because of the type of clothes that they wear,” Parker said.
A perceived lack of support for school discipline has been a major concern for Parker as his union has struggled with Rhee to negotiate a teacher contract. This policy, he said, is a step in the right direction.
“Certainly it’s not going to solve in every way the major discipline issues that we have, but it may help.”
