Anti-Twerking Contracts Crash Required Reading List at Maryland High School

— -- Troy Barnes worried as his students made their way to the Century High School homecoming dance this weekend. The first-year principal was concerned for their safety, their enjoyment and, most importantly, their dancing in accordance with the new school contract that prohibits “inappropriate” dance moves at school events, which would include twerking.

"I asked a couple of couples to clean it up a little,” he said. “They were instantly compliant and respectfully so."

Century High School has joined the ranks of other schools across the country by issuing a contract to students and parents, requiring that they not make any dance moves deemed inappropriate or sexually provocative. Contracts differ on a school-by-school basis.

"Inappropriate dancing has become more prevalent over the past few years," said Steven Johnson, an assistant superintendent of instruction for the Carroll County Public School District that includes Century High. "This is an attempt to add our standards for what is appropriate at a high school dance."

While the contracts do not specifically name certain dance moves, the terms "sexually provocative" and "inappropriate" are commonly used in reference to dances that involve grinding and twerking, a controversial dance move that sends hips trusting and butts vibrating.

Celebrities have helped increased the popularity of twerking by using it in music videos and live performances. Pop star Miley Cyrus, well-known for using it many of her acts, caused controversy at the 2013 MTV Music Awards when she twerked with her butt near musician Robin Thicke's crotch.

"What there has been is an increase in the awareness on the part of parents and students on the expectations of school officials at the events," said Rob Mosier, chief communications officer for the Anne Arundel School County Public Schools in Maryland.

Some of its schools, such as Annapolis High School, have also implemented contracts.

Many schools have implemented a warning system at events. A common one is the bracelet system in which students wear bracelets during all dances and any who misbehave are asked to remove theirs, signifying that they have been warned and will be asked to leave if they continue dancing inappropriately.

"It is more of a tool of communication and just letting everyone know what our expectations are," Johnson said in reference to the contracts.

Barnes first came up with the idea for Century when he was appointed as principal this summer and consulted staff and parents who were concerned about the dance styles their children were displaying.

Century opted not to use the bracelet system and was up front with the students that anyone who broke the terms of the contract would be asked to leave, though could still attend future events.

Students were concerned about the restrictive nature of the contract, with some choosing not to attend the dance, contributing to a drop in ticket sales to 680, compared with 814 sold last year, according to Matthew Saxon, 16, a junior at Century High and the student representative on the Carroll County Board of Education.

"It's one of those things. That's really a lot of things [dance moves] we know how to do,” he said. “We don't know how to dance."

But Saxton said students did try and live up to the terms of the contract. "Overall, there were few issues,” he said. “No one had to be removed from the dance so the contract was honored."

Principal Barnes agreed that the students were respectful.

"They were trying," he said, adding that he was pleased he did not have to dismiss anyone.