In the 2009-2010 school year, nineteen percent of public school principals reported requiring uniforms, from being twelve percent a decade earlier. As of right now, the percentage of public schools who reported the enforcement of strict dress code rose from 47 percent to 57 percent during the decade. Many people will argue that school uniforms are a benefit to students due to the fact that it could possibly decrease bullying or that the uniform will increase work ethic. Instilling school uniforms can actually be a large distraction in a public school. Attending a place of education where the norm for dress code is sweatpants and hoodies quickly turns to khakis and polos, can change from being a step in the right direction to a major step in …show more content…
Self expression is one of the biggest reasons having a school uniform is frowned upon by a vast majority of students. Junior Sara Hogan stated, "Dress codes are OK...I understand schools not wanting students to wear distracting clothing, but individuality would be lost with school uniforms..." Students want to show their individuality by the clothes they wear, and with school uniforms that is not a possibility. Instead of students paying attention to the teachers and learning to the fullest extent, they will worry about breaking dress code. Karen McAlhaney states,“Parents should be the ones to decide what clothing their children wear.” It should not be a concern of the school as to what the students are wearing unless it is blatantly inappropriate, it should be a conversation between parent and …show more content…
While the thought of a student not having to worry about their fashion might heighten the span of attention, if one does not want to pay attention they will not. "My advice to superintendents and principals, especially those in high-risk school districts, would be that uniforms may help reduce problem behaviors and may create a more orderly environment for learning," Draa said. "They are not a cure-all, but they certainly may help." Adding a school uniform policy will not add the impact wished for by the school. A student graduating has nothing to do with the clothes they wear and all to do with their dedication to moving on in life. While a social stigma is present without school uniforms, adding them will not do away with it, it could potentially make it worse. Regardless of a uniform, cliques will be formed, students will find a way to personalize the clothing and alienate others. “Children who are in trouble at school because of overzealous policing of “rule breakers” are not going to be motivated to attend school regularly, try hard in classes, or have a sense of belonging.” Having a sense of belonging, something needed to avoid the feeling of being a social outcast because no matter what happens reputation matters in the teen world and adult
or formal dress code stipulating what students can and cannot wear to school, a required school uniform is not as common. Customarily only seen in private and parochial schools, a growing numbers of US public schools are now adopting strict school uniform policies. One in five US public schools required students to wear uniforms during the 2013-2014 school year, up from one in eight in 2003-2004 ("School Uniforms," n.d, p. 1). In today’s world, it is not uncommon to see media stories about crime in schools and our educators are constantly looking for ways to improve safety within this school. Some of these educators feel that school uniforms are one way to protect the safety and welfare of students and school personnel. Many kids find
Officials say that students feel happier when they don’t have to worry about their clothes. Which would help students focus in class better. Virginia Draa, assistant professor at Youngstown state university took a survey with students with uniforms and students without uniforms. Her results were fascinating, she said that even if their wasn’t that much of an academic improvement. But she said there were better attendance, graduation and Proficiency rates. It is proven that uniforms not only help for graduation and other rates it also helps to gain discipline. Having uniforms in school would help students take school more seriously. Students would feel equal in class because there wouldn’t be any differences in clothing.
Many educators and even former President Bill Clinton, in his 1996 State of the Union address, have publicly supported the use of uniforms in schools. Larry Wilder Ed. D at Fresno Pacific University School of Education is one of those supporters.The reason he agrees with uniforms is because “They lead to a safer educational environment that increases Student's ability to learn, increases equality between the sexes and tolerance among ethnic and social groups.” There is much debate by educators on whether or not students in public schools should wear uniforms or have a dress code. There are many positive aspects and several negative aspects of uniforms in school. No matter what side you are on, there is a mixed bag of data when it comes to the ...
Children tend to break off into “cliques” and uniforms could possibly help unite students. Finding creative ways to express their individuality through other outlets other than fashion can help children forge friendships based on their common interests. In conclusion, I feel that school uniforms are something all schools should really consider implementing in their policy. All of these points show that they can be budget-friendly, help children focus and lower the barriers children can build up because of merely what they are wearing.
Studies have been done on how school uniforms create a better and safe environment for students and teachers. However there is contradictory about this issue because of the lack of information and other changes that might have happened at the same time as the uniform policy was being integrated. This may be difficult to single out one change that was added to the school system. Schools are believed to take away opportunities for the students to realize diversity and socioeconomic gap between students as stated by (Fossey and DeMitchell). Authors with both sides of the argument for and against school uniforms who were key components to the forming of this article are Keith A King in “Should School Uniforms be Mandated In Elementary Schools?”,
The most common argument against school uniforms is that they take away the students right to self-expression. Yes, school uniforms limit what the students have to wear, but students can still have their own ways of self-expression. Students can still express their style of choice with their hair and what accessories they wear. Their shoe choice is also a form of self-expression. Students can make the uniforms their own style without breaking the dress code. School is a place to learn. Outside of school, self- expression is limitless. Some parents also believe that it could interfere with students' natural behavior to experiment with different identities. Having uniforms in schools helps erase the defined line of the social classes. Typically, popular kids in the higher social classes wear the trendiest clothing...
Bill Clinton once said, “People will learn to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside, instead of what they’re wearing on the outside, then our public schools should be able to require students to wear school uniforms.” Public schools across America are searching to improve safety, school belonging and also help parents save money & students save time getting ready. One way to improve these issues would be to implement a uniform policy. The adoption of school uniforms policies will reach what public schools across America are searching for.
n our public schools today - they may seem like a good suggestion, but when looked at closer, all uniforms do is disguise the center of attention of the real concern that need to be successfully worked out. If security is a worry, we shouldn't be looking to a uniform to rectify the issue - if the concern is students not concentrating on school work, or getting meager grades, again, uniforms should not be seen as a way out. We have a duty to teach our children as much as we can in safe surroundings, and those are grave concerns that cannot be resolved by putting all children in the same attire. If all the children are wearing the same clothes, you still have a question with security and poor instruction - and now you have a student body that is being taught not to express their individuality. Uniforms in some cases, add to a school's concern, they do not answer them.
School uniforms should be part of the school system, because statistics have shown that students who wear uniforms are doing better than dress codes. More students also feel a sense of equality among each other, and there are fewer judgments of others. It allows teachers to quickly identify people who do not belong in the building and limits the ways that gangs can identify themselves. School outfits provide students with identity, individual spirit, and pride. Uniforms are increasing throughout different schools.
By requiring school uniforms in public schools, education will be improved. A dress code will enforce discipline toward learning. Uniforms improve a person’s outlook toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer distractions, students see the school as a workplace for teaching and learning. Students also have less stress in their lives because they are not in a fashion competition. Dress codes also lead to a change in grades. Mainly this happens because the student’s attendance comes up. There is also a change in grades because it is easier to focus when everyone looks alike.
Since the 1990 's schools have reported amazing results by mandating a school uniform policy. Konheim-Kalkstein, Y. L (2006) write: “ School uniforms, proponents have said, can lead to improved discipline and classroom behavior, increased school attendance, respect for teachers, better school performance, higher student self-esteem and confidence, lower
Individuality is an important reason why having school uniforms is a disadvantage. According to the ACLU, school uniforms took its toll on children’s creativity, independence, and individual behavior. During school, the only way a child can portray their individualism is through their clothing. Students cannot freely express themselves in any other form without going through school officials first (ACLU).
(“Quotes about Uniform Policy” 1). Theodore R. Mitchell, UCLA School of Education says, "I think its great news for all of us who have advocated school uniforms as a way of building community.” A pressing issue, bullying has become a big problem in many school, and to eliminate this problem, school policies should require students to wear uniforms. Many people believe that school uniforms build the community into a safer, more positive environment. School uniforms improve school academics, prevent gang violence, and assist families, who can not afford expensive clothing.
These studies were also answered by teachers and parents by marking either agree or strongly agree. When asked if school uniforms have promoted positive student behavior; 37% parents, and 95% of teachers agreed. When asked if school uniforms decreased the amount of peer pressure and bullying because students no longer had to fit in with the crowd; 47% of parents and 90% of teachers agreed. There was only one question that no teachers agreed upon but some parents agreed with. That question had to do with school uniforms taking away students personal liberty.
A “community” feel among the students will create a sense of belonging and the students won’t feel alienated from the other students because of fashion trends. Logos make students feel proud of the school and generates more school spirit. This is one of the many reasons why school uniforms should be enforced. Point 2 (Justine): School uniforms have been shown to reduce the amount of clothing and appearance based bullying and crime greatly. “There's less conflict among students,” says William C. Ellis, the chief of the Long Beach Police Department.