We the undersigned parents of Troy 30C submit this petition in OPPOSITION to the new 2013-14 standardized dress code. We believe that the new dress code is arbitrary, unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible.
REASONS:
a. Dress codes are established to contribute to safety and discipline and reduce peer pressure. Requiring a collared, solid color shirt and khaki or navy twill pants doesn't prevent someone from wearing an Abercrombie instead of Target; or a GAP instead of Walmart. Peer pressure will still be there. No data was provided to show that the current 2012-13 dress code was causing safety and discipline issues within our schools. The documents that the Board presented to support their beliefs showed that there were many variables that had changed at those schools and cannot be attributed solely to the uniform policies. Furthermore, in the book "Visible Learning" by John Hattie, Hattie quotes research done by D.L. Brunsma. Brunsma (2004) concluded that 'at middle school, both students and principals had stronger negative views about school safety after the introduction of school uniforms. More importatntly, school uniform policies had no effect on academic achievement but a significant negative effect in high school."
b. The new "standardized dress code" will add significant cost to families. Most families will need to purchase khaki/navy twill pants and collared shirts along with purchasing different clothes for their children to wear afterschool and on weekends. This may cause a financial burden on some families. In these more challenging economic times, we believe it is more fiscally sound to keep the current 2012-13 dress code policy.
Based on the above reasons, we respectfully request that Troy 30C REINSTATE the current 2012-13 dress code policy.
