Education: Dress, Right, Dress

At three Baltimore public schools last week, there was something different in back-to-school wear: sameness. Most of the 1,600 students, ages 4 to 12, were sporting spiffy uniforms: for boys, navy blue slacks and dress shirts with ties, for girls navy blue jumpers and blouses. The $30 uniforms -- aimed at cooling peer appearance pressure -- are not mandatory, but officials expect almost 100% compliance. The idea, long common only in private and Roman Catholic parochial schools, may even catch on. This week a public school in Washington is following suit. Parents in the experimenting schools are behind the move. "All...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!