ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603180055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK (AP)
SOURCE: JON GLASS THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
EDUCATORS SAY DRESS CODES reduce violence, keep gang colors out of schools, and improve discipline.
A year ago, naysayers warned principal Pamela Hoffler-Riddick that her plan o require inner-city students to wear uniforms would never work.
But now, with President Clinton's endorsement, public school uniforms are all the rage, and Hoffler-Riddick's experiment in mandatory student dress at Ruffner Middle School is in the national limelight.
In a manual recently sent to the nation's 16,000 school districts, the Department of Education listed Ruffner's policy as one of eight model school-uniform policies nationwide.
Since the six-page document was released, National Public Radio and NBC have interviewed Hoffler-Riddick and done stories about the school. A Japanese broadcasting company wanted to examine the emerging U.S. trend that is old hat in Japan.
Students have worn uniforms since September at Ruffner, the first secondary school in Virginia to adopt a mandatory dress policy, Hoffler-Riddick said. Students wear navy blue slacks or skirts, solid-color Oxford shirts, plaid ties and black shoes.
``Not only did it work, but it's now on the president's agenda,'' the principal said. ``It's like icing on the cake to be recognized nationally when we were a year ahead of being in vogue.''
Hoffler-Riddick hopes to get Clinton to visit her school. As practice for an upcoming national standardized test that includes a writing section, Ruffner's 1,000 students will write invitations to him.
In January, Clinton endorsed school uniforms during his State of the Union address. Last month, he instructed the Department of Education to issue uniform guidelines.
The department's manual touts the potential benefits as reducing violence, keeping gang colors and insignias out of schools, improving discipline, focusing students on studies and helping officials spot intruders.
Virginia has been ahead of the curve on uniforms. In March 1995, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing school boards to require that uniforms be worn.
Even before that, a number of elementary schools had adopted voluntary uniform policies.
Richmond's Maymont Elementary School was among the eight model schools cited in the Education Department's manual. The other schools were in Long Beach, Calif.; Seattle; Kansas City, Mo.; Memphis, Tenn.; Baltimore and Phoenix.
Most Ruffner parents support Hoffler-Riddick's policy. Parents and students had a say in its adoption, a key to its success, said PTA president Sheryl Brennell, whose son is in seventh grade.
``It's just so easy,'' Brennell said. ``It's less cost, and you don't have to mess with it in the morning - they know what they're going to wear.''
Some students complain about having to wear the designated clothes but are resigned to the requirement.
``I don't really like it, but I've got to put up with it,'' sixth-grader Chris Williams said.
``They're very strict about it,'' seventh-grader Susan Thomas said. ``You can get Saturday detention, sent to in-school suspension or get suspended.''
Hoffler-Riddick said only a few students who have repeatedly violated the policy have been sent home on suspension.
Students acknowledge there have been fewer fights and they are concentrating more on their work since they started wearing uniforms.
``Last year, people came to school to show off their clothes, and school was one big fashion show,'' Thomas said. ``Kids used to get joked about what they'd wear.''
While Hoffler-Riddick said she doesn't view uniforms as a cure-all, they have contributed to an improved learning environment. The school has seen a 30 percent decline this year in suspensions caused by disruption, insubordination, disrespect and fighting, she said.
Also, the number of students on the first-quarter honor roll rose by nearly 20 percent.
``It makes clothing a nonissue, as far as being able to distinguish between the haves and have-nots, or the ones who don't have trendy clothing,'' said Hoffler-Riddick. ``They behave differently. It's like every day is picture day.''
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. In the year since students at Ruffner Middle Schoolby CNBin Norfolk have worn uniforms, there has been a 30 percent drop in
suspensions related to fights and insubordination. color.