Washoe County School District Bullying Incident: Fill & Download for Free

One huge benefit for some large (more than 500 pupils) troubled schools in bad neighborhoods: Being able to instantly tell who belongs on campus and who is "visiting" to sell drugs, make trouble, etc.This can be done easily by specifying khaki or brown pants, and a polo style shirt in a distinctive color (maroon, kelly green,etc.) with the school logo - just like the corporate polo shirts we see people wearing at trade shows.A number of schools in the Los Angeles area have done this.This also eliminates gang colors, provocative T-shirts, overly revealing outfits (AKA slut wear), clothing that hides identity from people and security cameras, like hoodies, and clothing that has too many places to hide drugs, weapons, etc. (like hoodies and cargo pants)Drawbacks - in the words of Quentin Tarantino, "it makes you look like a dork"Some uniforms are expensive, and may need a lot of cleaning.Schools like to specify white shirts or blouses, and then serve spaghetti for lunch...Uniforms mean you can't dress your kids with gifts from relatives, or from the Salvation Army, or from free clothing sources.****Los Angeles policy -Page on LausdFederal policy from the 1990s...http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS/actguid/uniforms.htmlAn article about results in Nevada -http://blogs.rgj.com/reportcard/2013/04/23/criminal-and-discipline-problems-decrease-when-schools-with-uniforms/Uniforms credited for drop in school police reports3:14 pm, Apr 23, 2013 | Written by Siobhan McAndrewiSparks Middle School discipline problems dropped 10 percent, police reports were down 63 percent and threats decreased from 18 to four when the school implemented a uniform policy.That’s part of research by the University of Nevada, Reno College of Education.Researchers Jafeth Sanchez and George Hill surveyed 1,350 seventh and eighth grade students Sparks, Vaughn and Pine middle schools.Ninety percent of students did not like wearing uniforms but reported an increase in confidence and self-esteem and a decrease in discipline issues, gang involvement and bullying.At Sparks Middle School discipline referrals were reduced by 102 incidents, inappropriate behavior referrals were reduced by 121 incidents and police log reports went from 200 the year prior to 75 when uniforms were started.Gang-related reports decreased from 12 to four, graffiti decreased from 26 to two and battery decreased from 25 to three according to Sanchez.Washoe County School District Police Chief Mike Mieras said overall discipline problems including criminal and non criminal issues decrease when a school has a uniform policy.Currently there are 17 elementary, nine middle schools and one high school with a uniform policy in the district. There are no plans for additional schools to require uniforms in the 2013/2014 school year.Sanchez said she was inspired to do the research because uniform policies were adopted without anyone looking at the impact on students.“The student voice was left out,” said Sanchez. “They did not like wearing uniforms but the benefits seem to show they are successful.”At Sparks Middle School the uniform – khaki pants, a green polo shirt with neutral colored shoes–has become part of the school’s culture said Principal Kevin Carroll.“I think it puts everyone on level playing field,” he said.Carroll, who was recently named principal at Sparks High School, said he isn’t thinking about uniforms at his new school, yet.