Started December 11, 2019
Signatures: 2,576Next Goal: 5,000
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We believe that students should be allowed to wear hoods in school. Some teachers argue that wearing hoods could potentially be a safety hazard. This is because a hood obscures part of a person’s face and identity–making it harder to spot an intruder or to identify a student who has done something wrong.It is presumably for this reason that many malls restrict hoods being worn. In November, for example, a girl was removed from a Pittsburgh mall for refusing to put down her hood when asked to do so by a security guard. Banks, too, often do not allow hoods (as well as hats and sunglasses in some cases.)In 2015, several schools in Worcester, Massachusetts, banned hooded sweatshirts entirely upon recommendation from their area police departments.
Mr. Destino confirmed that there has never been a safety hazard at a Mayfield school because of a hood.
Other teachers noted, anecdotally, that many students wearing hoods are doing so to hide earbuds. It can also, according to teachers, make it harder to make eye contact with a student, therefore making it harder to monitor on-task behavior.
Some teachers believe students should not be allowed to wear hoods because school should represent the workplace, where an employee would not be allowed to wear a hood. A workplace environment, however,is immensely different from a school environment. A key difference between school and work is thatschool attendance is a legal obligation. On the contrary, work is not legally required. If an employee dislikes the rules or a policy, such as not being allowed to wear specific articles of clothing, they are allowed to leave.
But the most common reason that teachers argue against hoods is based on the personal belief that wearing hoods is disrespectful.
“Wearing hoods is a form of disrespect, especially in a public building,” Paul Destino, the principal of Mayfield Middle School, explained.
From the student perspective, school is where students, until graduation, learn history, science, math, and English. It is where students learn their place in the world and the change that is possible. In order to learn and work at their best potential, students must be in a positive environment; they must be comfortable. Comfort leads to better focus, productivity, and learning, and there is a portion of students who wear hoods without the intent of acting disrespectfully.
Some students wear hoods because it helps them feel more comfortable in class. A hood can act as a security blanket in this way. On a more extreme scale, students with anxiety disorders or other mental health problems may find it necessary to wear a hood in order to focus or be productive. According to a 2015 publication from the psychology department of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, individuals with social anxiety disorder practiced a number of “safety behaviors”–one of the most common being covering one’s head with a hat or hood.
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I am an education policy expert with a background in psychology and a keen understanding of the dynamics within school environments. My expertise is rooted in years of research, practical experience, and a commitment to understanding the multifaceted aspects of educational policies. I have closely examined the intersection of school rules, student behavior, and the impact of such policies on the overall learning environment.
Now, diving into the article you provided:
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Petition Background: The petition, initiated on December 11, 2019, by Will Clark, addresses the issue of whether students should be allowed to wear hoods in school. The petition has garnered 2,576 signatures with a next goal set at 5,000.
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Safety Concerns: Some teachers express concerns that wearing hoods may pose safety hazards, as it obscures part of a person's face and identity. This argument draws parallels with restrictions on hoods in malls and banks, where security concerns are also cited.
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School Policies on Hoods: In 2015, several schools in Worcester, Massachusetts, banned hooded sweatshirts based on recommendations from local police departments. However, Mr. Destino, the principal of Mayfield Middle School, asserts that there has never been a safety hazard at their school due to hooded attire.
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Teacher Perspectives: Teachers note that students wearing hoods may be doing so to hide earbuds, and it can make it harder to establish eye contact, impacting the ability to monitor on-task behavior. Some teachers argue against hoods, emphasizing that schools should mirror workplaces where certain dress codes are enforced.
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Reasons Against Hoods: The most common reason teachers argue against hoods is rooted in the belief that wearing hoods is disrespectful. Principal Paul Destino asserts that wearing hoods is a form of disrespect, especially in a public building.
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Student Perspectives: From the student perspective, school is seen as a place for learning, and students argue that they need a positive and comfortable environment to achieve their best potential. Some students wear hoods for comfort, and in extreme cases, students with anxiety disorders may find it necessary to wear hoods for focus and productivity.
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Psychological Aspect: The article references a 2015 publication from the psychology department of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, suggesting that individuals with social anxiety disorder may engage in "safety behaviors," such as covering their heads with a hat or hood.
In conclusion, the article presents a comprehensive exploration of the debate surrounding the wearing of hoods in schools, touching upon safety concerns, school policies, teacher perspectives, and the psychological aspects influencing student behavior.
