Linking with Legislators
Topic: Should schools be specifically authorized to require uniforms for students?
This issue was submitted by Representative Scott Jensen
This bill specifically authorizes a school board to require pupils enrolled in the district to wear a school uniform.
Current law already allows a school board to adopt rules about the dress of students. This bill would specifically let school boards make rules that require students to wear uniforms. If a school board did make a rule requiring that students wear uniforms, the board would also have to:
- allow parents or guardians to exempt their child from the rule,
- ensure that no pupil is penalized academically or otherwise discriminated against because the pupil's parent or guardian has chosen to exempt the pupil from the rule,
- give parents and guardians 6 months' notice before the rule takes effect, and
- assist economically disadvantaged pupils to purchase the uniforms.
Suggested World Wide Web Resources:
- "New Bill Would Let Wisconsin 'Dress for Success'"
- A letter from Rep. Jensen explaining why he is in favor of school uniforms
- "School uniforms bill moves to Assembly"
- An article from the Feb. 28, 1996 Wisconsin State Journal about Rep. Jensen's bill.
- Articles about the issue of school uniforms from around the country:
- Four articles from the San Mateo, CA Times
- November 3, 1994
- November 21, 1994
- December 16, 1994
- February 21, 1995
- Two articles from the Norfolk, VA Virginian-Pilot
- June 1, 1995
- September 6, 1995
- One article from the San Diego, CA Union-Tribune
- July 7, 1995
- Back-to-School Uniform Watch
- From the newsletter "Urban Educator" of the Council of Great City Schools.
This project, Linking with Legislators, is a collaboration between Wisconsin State Legislators, Madison Newspapers (MOM), and MMSD Instructional Technologies Department. Shorewood teacher Ann Walser and her fourth grade class are piloting the project. Linking with Legislators is modeled after Students Offering Solutions for Legislatures, a Pioneering Partners Award-winning innovation from St. Louis Park Schools in Minnesota. This page is maintained by Barbara Spitz, bspitz@madison.k12.wi.us, MMSD Instructional Technologies.
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