"School Uniform Policies Should be Left to the Parents"

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Uniforms have becoming increasingly popular at charter schools in Utah since lawmakers passed a law making such policies legal earlier this year. State education officials worry some of those policies have become too demanding and may exclude students, or possibly break the law.

State Representative Craig Frank sponsored the school uniform bill which says only that such policies may not be too expensive or prescriptive:

"Whether or not a policy is 'too prescriptive' depends a lot on what parents and the board decide."

Frank says state education officials should leave uniform policies to the parents and boards of charter schools and districts. He defends school uniform policies as a way for public schools to get rid of distractions and disputes caused by gang-related or expensive clothing.

But, he says lawmakers did have certain limits in mind when they passed the law.

"I think the major concern of the legislature was that we don't get into things where you have to buy from a certain store. The policies need to be generic enough that everybody can participate in it and not be too expensive."

Requiring students to wear a uniform with a logo or certain color available only from one outlet may violate the law. But many charter schools say they meet the legal requirements by providing uniforms for children who can't afford them.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW