My initial action research plan is/was to
study the effects of school uniforms on a RURAL, LOW INCOME school
district. My superintendent and I are in discussions on whether or not
we will proceed with this project or change direction to a different
project that would solve any more pertinent district needs.
My school district has black polo shirts that the students are to wear when they leave school grounds (field trips, extra-curriculars, etc). My plan is to have the students wear the shirts to school 2 days a week (mondays and thursdays) and monitor conduct, attitude and classwork on those specific days. These would be done primarily through weekly teach surveys. The students will also be surveyed three times (beginning, middle, end) during the study.
With so many migrant and low-income students, our student population struggles to find it's place in the world. With only 120 total students in our district, it's difficult for us to suceed in most extra-curricular activities. Even the smallest districts around Texas have double or triple our population. Also, a high percentage of our students are either transfers from nearby districts or live out in remote areas away from the school. This leads to a poor sense of community. My hope is that my research shows that the use of school uniforms would boost student esteem, help with classroom issues such as grades and conduct, and project a positive school image within our community.
My school district has black polo shirts that the students are to wear when they leave school grounds (field trips, extra-curriculars, etc). My plan is to have the students wear the shirts to school 2 days a week (mondays and thursdays) and monitor conduct, attitude and classwork on those specific days. These would be done primarily through weekly teach surveys. The students will also be surveyed three times (beginning, middle, end) during the study.
With so many migrant and low-income students, our student population struggles to find it's place in the world. With only 120 total students in our district, it's difficult for us to suceed in most extra-curricular activities. Even the smallest districts around Texas have double or triple our population. Also, a high percentage of our students are either transfers from nearby districts or live out in remote areas away from the school. This leads to a poor sense of community. My hope is that my research shows that the use of school uniforms would boost student esteem, help with classroom issues such as grades and conduct, and project a positive school image within our community.
I think your action research project is fascinating. I think with such a small district like yours that you can really have an impact on the lives of those around you. I would like to follow your blog to see how your project turns out. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteMy school district implemented the use of uniforms back in ’97; high school students did not appreciated the change, but their parents did. It was difficult to implement the change the first year, because many students tried to get away with following the districts dress code. After continuous reinforcement, parent meetings, and a couple of calls home to bring appropriate clothing to their children, parents started making sure their children wore the required uniforms. The use of uniforms made tremendous positive changes to the school climate, it decrease numerous behavior and bullying problems, it prevented gang related issues, it assisted staff in distinguishing students between grade levels (each grade level wears a different color polo), and low income students felt more comfortable than previous years. Parents were also grateful for the change, because the use of uniforms decreased their back-to-school expenses. Every school in our district follows the same dress code; students are required to wear assigned color polo shirts Monday through Thursday and they are allowed to wear school’s spirit t-shirts on Friday. To help promote college awareness, last year administrators changed the Thursday requirement, students are now allow to ware university or college t-shirts of their choice.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to upload your action research rough draft plan for week 3 homework!
ReplyDeletety Shannon. i'm working on that right now. the uniform project became non-practical being so far into the school year. a project like that needs to being in the summer time when arrangements can be made for uniform-style clothing for the students.
ReplyDelete