More Knox County schools could have their own dress codes next year

[Lola Alapo]

After the success of dress standards at two Knox County high schools, about 20 other schools are thinking about implementing their own.
They're careful not to call them uniforms.

See the story at http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/21/20-more-knox-schools-interested/

What do you think about schools having their own dress standards? How do you think this will impact students? parents' wallets?

Lola Alapo
K-12 Education Reporter
Knoxville News Sentinel

[Ginevra]

Bob, thank you. It was because of people like you (and the teens helping with the painting) that I began to long to return to East Tennessee after years away.

Integrity, honesty and standing for what is right are what makes it worthwhile to be alive.

And thank you Vic for standing up also.

[Bob Hunter]

Ginevra,
Thanks - I missed out a couple of years and it really bothered me. This is an area that is very important to me and I just wish our society could see the impact it would make if they focused on it. I am in support of any organization that foucses on these principles and that teaches the importance of serving and putting other people first. It would be a much better world to live in if we could understand and live this way as a society. And it doesn't mean we give up our rights and let others walk all over us like some think.

[Cathy McCaughan]

Vic - You know I love you and want you to keep screaming your very clear and consistent message until more people hear it. That said, sometimes the little stuff DOES matter. If a student, teacher or administrator is having a terrible year because of something going on in the classroom, it IS important. It is fine and dandy to be focused on tougher curriculum and higher expectations. It is not acceptable to lose track of the PEOPLE in our schools in favor of ACT scores and dollar signs. Yes, I get frustrated and annoyed when we are going in circles over the start date of the school year or khaki pants and polos. I do think that students, teachers and administrators have a right to say when they don't feel safety, trust and respect. Let's stop using "teachers don't like me" as an example of what doesn't matter. You're smart enough to know that those words have much bigger meaning than a child who doesn't want to work.

[Vic Spencer]

Cathy, I said that anything that leads to or takes away from achieving a higher ACT, is important. That means better math and reading in primary school. Anything going on in the classroom that can impact academic progress. That includes extreme dressing, but I don't think that uniforms are a requirement to improve academics. Teachers should have the right to speak out -- they do not. That impacts performance in any organization, and therefore it counts to me. But all little stuff is not important to academics. McIntyre telling everyone how great things are going and then asking for input is pure BS. Why? Because people do not know the situation and they are a safe forum for him to show that he is consulting the public. To me, things like the teacher doesn't like me or the calendar discussions, or the one about the necessity of uniforms is so far from what should be achieved, that at the risk of you and I not agreeing, I would not spend Board time on it. McIntyre can decide all those things. Cathy, we cannot achieve a single thing without focusing on the high priority issues.

[Heather Marshall]

Vic, I do have to say I do disagree here a little. I do think that school calendar has a big impact on learning for students in the earlier years and should be looked at again.

For struggling students, a shorter summer would help students retain more of what they had learned in the previous year, meaning less reteaching when school begins again. So, for students in elementary school, I do support year round schooling, this means shorter summers and more/a little longer breaks during the school year. I do believe that this would be a better way for the students.

But as for what else should be addressed by KCS and the school board, it should be learning in the classrooms at all levels. We do need all classrooms to have teachers with very high expectations! This will be good for all students. We also need our councelors to be sure students are properly placed in the classes best for them in all grade levels. When a student is misplaced in a class that is too difficult for them, they are set up to fail. This is no good. When a student is placed in a class too easy for them, they stop learning, become bored. All students need to be placed appropriately. All students should be learning in a classroom with a teacher with high expectations and an appropriate curriculum

[Vic Spencer]

Good points Heather.

[Bob Hunter]

Great thoughts Heather. I agree with you that a "year round" type calendar would be better (I think for all grades) but I agree with Vic that the calendar issues our board and superintendent get focused on are a waste of time and show a lack of understanding of the priorities.
I would really like to see the classes divided and focused on the learning levels of the students. Higher achieving students grouped together and allowed to move forward at a faster and more challenging pace. These classes could probably be larger in size since the students often don't need the one-on-one focus from the teachers to progress. Students struggling groupled together in smaller classes where the teachers could offer more one-on-one or maybe 2 teachers or a teacher and an aide in the class. I think this would be great but I am afraid the biggest problem you would have with this is the parents - the "I don't want my kid labeled slow" attitude instead of I want my kid where ever they have the best learning opportunity. I know there would be great teachers for both groups as I have heard teachers speak of their passions for working with both groups. It would take some gusty moves by the Board and Superintendent to get this going though and I am not sure they are ready for that challenge - I hope I am wrong for the sake of all our kids now and in the future!

[Vic Spencer]

Bob I think the Board and super could do such a thing, but increasing school hours could cost more if done outside of Title 1 schools who get a lot more. Based on what I read daily increase in school hours until the parent gets home is most productive, and I would certainly be for summer school as well for those who cannot get good grades. But that would cost more money. Maybe the super would be willing to cut some overhead to do better what their primary function is. My image, I should say "vision" of him is that he is too political and does not have the courage to do such things aggressively. One very good sign of that is the fact that he is not willing to openly discuss it.

[Bob Hunter]

I think we could do all of this without an increase of school hours and with no budget increases so there is really no excuse - it just takes some creative out of the box thinking and a lot of salesmanship to present it to the public and gain their approval. And as I said it takes some guts because there will be some policitical backlash from some who disagree so the decision will have to be made which is more important - popularity or success of the students.
I have not been impressed with the Superintentdent - what we were told by others and he himself is not what I have seen. I have not met him so I will reserve complete judgment but it seems to me from everything I have seen and heard he isolates and insulates himself and that is never a good trait in a leader. I don't know if is intentional or not but I hope it is recognnized and changed soon. For those who believe the forums held are good signs - big forums are safe ways to show yourself in public, accept comments and then have to do nothing. What is really needed is serious sit down meetings with different groups where true solutions that can be implemented are discussed and that is what we need to solve our problems.

[Bob Hunter]

One other thought - peer tutoring. All of my daughters have participated and it seems to work. Let some of the kids progressing at the higher levels help some of the ones struggling. Sometimes kids will listen to another kid when they won't listen to an adult. I think both parties win when this method is used - I know I always learn more when I have to teach something than I do when I am only studying it.

[Vic Spencer]

Good idea.

[Debi]

There seems to be a certain level of ambivalence from some parents of some kids who peer tutor others. I've read comments such as it takes away their class time and opportunities and that they are being made to be a teacher instead of learner.

I personally love peer tutoring. My oldest has been one many times, perhaps the funniest for a little boy was a refugee from the Ivory Coast. She was very proud. I asked her how she could tutor him when she didn't know a bit of his language. She just shrugged her shoulders. Hubby & I decided she must have been using "universal kid language." Lol. My middle has also benefited from both having peer buddies and being one.