This document discusses student dress and grooming policies in schools. It provides a brief history of school uniforms, noting that Cherry Hill Elementary was the first public school to implement a uniform policy in 1987. Both pros and cons of school uniforms are outlined, though the conclusion states that research shows uniforms have no direct impact on safety or academic achievement. The document also discusses common grooming standards that require hygiene, neatness and non-disruptive hairstyles. It concludes that dress codes aim to reduce disruption but their impact is controversial and parental involvement is more important than uniforms for student performance.

1. Student Dress and GroomingStudent Dress and Grooming
William Allan Kritsonis, PhDWilliam Allan Kritsonis, PhD

2. Research SubjectResearch Subject
 StudentStudent
Uniforms andUniforms and
GroomingGrooming

3. HistoryHistory
 1987 Cherry Hill Elementary made history when it1987 Cherry Hill Elementary made history when it
became the first public school to adopt uniformsbecame the first public school to adopt uniforms..

4. HistoryHistory
 1996 State of the Union1996 State of the Union
Address by PresidentAddress by President
William Clinton whichWilliam Clinton which
he stronglyhe strongly
recommended uniformsrecommended uniforms
as one way to keepas one way to keep
schools safeschools safe..

5. School UniformsSchool Uniforms
~Pros~~Pros~
 Reduce violenceReduce violence
 Increase school safetyIncrease school safety
 Increase attendanceIncrease attendance
 Improve gradesImprove grades
 Financial benefits forFinancial benefits for
parentsparents
 Reduce visible economicReduce visible economic
differencesdifferences
~Cons~~Cons~
 No confirmed effect onNo confirmed effect on
safety and violencesafety and violence
 No bearing on academicNo bearing on academic
achievementachievement
 May mask risky behaviorsMay mask risky behaviors
(gang participation)(gang participation)
 Violates student’s rights toViolates student’s rights to
free expressionfree expression

6. Student GroomingStudent Grooming
 Common Standards:Common Standards:
 Hairstyles must pose no disruption to theHairstyles must pose no disruption to the
learning environmentlearning environment
 Good, clean hygieneGood, clean hygiene
 Neatness, and order are paramountNeatness, and order are paramount

7. Legal IssuesLegal Issues
 Parents and School TangleParents and School Tangle
Over Waldorf Tot's LocksOver Waldorf Tot's Locks
Boy, 3, Suspended FromBoy, 3, Suspended From
Private AcademyPrivate Academy
 By Megan GreenwellBy Megan Greenwell
Washington Post StaffWashington Post Staff
WriterWriter
Saturday, November 24,Saturday, November 24,
2007; B012007; B01

8. ConclusionConclusion
Research has shown that the implementationResearch has shown that the implementation
of school uniforms has no direct effect onof school uniforms has no direct effect on
school safety or performance. What is mostschool safety or performance. What is most
often visible is a sense of “order”. A schooloften visible is a sense of “order”. A school
that has a uniform policy is no safer than onethat has a uniform policy is no safer than one
that does not have a uniform policy, andthat does not have a uniform policy, and
student performance ahs been linked tostudent performance ahs been linked to
parental involvement, not uniform mandates.parental involvement, not uniform mandates.

9. ConclusionConclusion
Grooming policies often thwart radicalGrooming policies often thwart radical
behavior, and disruption to the learningbehavior, and disruption to the learning
environment, and are therefore believed to beenvironment, and are therefore believed to be
beneficial, all be it sometimes controversialbeneficial, all be it sometimes controversial..

10. ResourcesResources
 Baltimore City Public School SystemBaltimore City Public School System
www.bcps.k12.md.uswww.bcps.k12.md.us
 National Association of Elementary School PrincipalsNational Association of Elementary School Principals
(NAESP)(NAESP)
www.naesp.orgwww.naesp.org