Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools

907 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effect of school uniform on learning

Contrary to popular belief, school uniforms play a larger role in education than one might think. Studies have shown school uniforms to promote more focus and increase drive pertaining to students’ school work. Just like a businessman puts a suit on when attending an important meeting, some students become more serious about their projects and assignments at school when putting their uniforms on. While individuality is an important thing, many people are constantly ridiculed not because of personality-based traits, but because of the pattern on their t-shirt, the hat that they mustered up the courage to wear, or the brand on their jeans. Uniforms eliminate this in-school judgment that occurs in many around the country. If public schools implemented mandatory school uniforms, might there be more unity among the student body? Would the quality of education be more of a priority in student’s lives?

It is no coincidence that schools requiring the wearing of a uniform report consistently higher grades among students than those that do not require uniforms. Although it may seem illogical that something as materialistic as clothes can affect students’ focus on academics, reports shockingly prove this to be the case. Currently, one in four public elementary schools and one in eight public middle and high schools have school uniform policies. Of those schools, the U.S. Department of Education did several studies on the overall behavior of students. The

percentage of students leaving class without permission dropped by about 47%, school suspensions dropped by 90%, and the overall in-school crime rate dropped a dramatic 91%. The proof is in the pudding; clearly, the uniforms provide the students with a more focused school day. Some of ...

... middle of paper ...

... of Kids” Livestrong.org 14 January 2013

.

Part I: Northwest Florida Daily News; Part II: Kent J. Fetzer. "School Uniforms Stifle Freedom of Expression." Opposing Viewpoints: School Policies. Ed. Jamuna Carroll. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL - AZ. 30 Apr. 2014 .

“School Uniform Statistics” Statistic Brain, US Department of Education, NCES, ECS, NAESP, University of Florida 1 January, 2014 < http://www.statisticbrain.com/school-uniform-statistics/>

Show More
Related

  • The Pros And Cons Of School Uniforms In Public Schools

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Uniform Adoption in Public Schools

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ever wonder what it would look like to have all students wearing the same white polo shirt, black pants, and a district sweater walking in the hallway? Nowadays, public school and many districts are discussing the possibilities of enforcing the uniform policy. In most places, many private schools already require students to have their mandatory uniforms; however, there are only a few public schools adopting this mandatory school-uniform polices as one of their enrollment requirements. The reason why not all public schools participated was because people believe that they are violating the freedom of choice when enforcing this mandatory uniform policy; yet problems such as bullying and segregation, emerged in these schools. Some people still think uniforms have no benefits at all. However, all public school students should be required to wear uniforms because it would improve the academic performance, reduce the violent behaviors based on appearance judgment, and provide less stress for both parents and students.

    Read More

  • Uniforms: The Benefits

    1248 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many opposing views feel that uniforms are a “Band-Aid Approach” to more serious problems throughout the school community says Bárbara C. Cruz. (43) These are problems like violence, bullying and poor academic behavior. Said by a high school junior “Uniforms would not transform anyone into a good student, just dress up a bad one”. (Cruz 44) It is true that uniforms are not the solution to all educational problems, but they are a good place to start. Although, when schools begin to enforce a uniform policy it shows that the community is acknowledging there are problems to be solved and working together to try something new. Quoting two school safety experts, “Instituting a dress code alone will not solve the problem of violence in the schoo...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On School Uniform

    1239 Words  | 3 Pages

    In America, “The World’s Melting Pot”, we are all unique and should be seen as individuals. Wearing a uniform does not allow for students to demonstrate their individuality; they have to dress conforming to the school’s uniform policy. According to Akerlof and Kranton, “...with attempting to establish a sense of community might be the loss of student’s sense of identification with the school, which could in turn yield lowered outcomes in effort and skills”. These policies leave the students questioning themselves and wondering, “Who am I?”. A survey, of 100 random students, conducted at Zapata High School showed that 72% of students reviewed felt that wearing a uniform suppresses their ability to express themselves as individuals. Forcing students to wear a uniform is also going against the first amendment, which clearly prohibits Congress from making laws that violate freedom of speech; it includes freed...

    Read More

  • The Need for School Uniforms

    444 Words  | 1 Pages

    In society today, school-age children are under tremendous pressure to fit in with their peers and still perform well academically. I believe that school uniforms at pre-K through high school levels are an excellent way to help children succeed not only in school, but to prepare them for college and the “real world.” Three reasons why I believe school uniforms should be used in all schools is first, they are economic, next, they reduce distractions and finally, they help with social equality. To begin, school uniforms are economic. When schools have a uniform policy, it makes it easier on the children and parents.

    Read More

  • Negative Cons Of School Uniforms

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    Uniforms in public schools are becoming more and more accepted around the world. “Over the last two decades, the debate over the implementation of school uniform policies in public schools has been a consistent presence in schools and districts around the United States.” (Sanchez, 345). Teachers, parents and school administrators feel the need for school uniforms as a positive way to increase school safety and increase academic performance. Even though school uniforms are not the most popular choice among students and parents, the positive impact school uniforms make on students and the school outweigh the negative opinions.

    Read More

  • School Uniforms And Conformity Essay

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the 20th century almost no parent or faculty had any concerns with how students dressed to attend school. Nowadays, though, this is a giant concern among students, parents, and school board officials. Many arguments have been made over the matter saying uniforms should be required and enforced in schools. But, uniforms should not be required as they ultimately eliminate freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, may have a detrimental effect on students self image, emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate, and lastly, school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by adding an extra expense for families.

    Read More

  • Mandatory School Uniforms In Public Schools

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    Uniforms in Public Schools have established a negative meaning in the American culture. Most other countries around the United States have adopted the school uniform policy; Americans like to value our freedom of expression and uniqueness. American children value these traits, especially middle and high school when they feel like expressing themselves by the way they dress, that’s why public school lacks uniform policy. Parents and children that do not agree with mandatory school uniforms, argues that uniform policy in public schools would contradict the student’s independence. Their child would not stand out in a crowed if something were to happen.

    Read More

  • Uniforms Should be Mandatory in Schools

    1000 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • School Uniforms Persuasive Essay

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    School uniforms are a boiling conversation point these days. There are so many well-built points of view about what route parents, students, and superintendents wish to go in. It has been disputed that school uniforms have the potential to make a school safer, that uniforms reduce harassment or self-esteem issues, and that uniforms return the focus to the students' learning. I disagree. I, in fact think that school uniforms do not help make our schools a more secure place, I think that they do not revisit the center of attention to student's education - they just shifted where the attention was previous, and that they won’t help cut down on harassment or self- esteem issues in school.

    Read More

  • School Uniforms are a Negative Influence to Society

    1382 Words  | 3 Pages

    School uniforms lack effectiveness. They don’t help fix any problems. Many believe that school uniforms take away the students distraction towards clothes and appearance and enhance academic performance. However, it does not take a genius to realize that wearing a uniform does not automatically make a student more attentive or hard-working. There may be several other reasons as to why a student lacks focus or is distracted. Those reasons may include problems at home, with other students or even with teachers. Schools should do everything they can to help students with those proble...

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of School Uniforms In Public Schools

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: Should School Uniforms Be Required?

    840 Words  | 2 Pages

    Should school uniforms be required? Some say that uniforms help students focus on academics instead of fashion. Others believe that students should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school in order to express their differences and their uniqueness. After considering both sides of the issue, I strongly believe that uniforms should be introduced in primary public and private schools. Wearing school uniforms does not promote unfair comparisons between student’s incomes in terms of clothing; they aid students in developing their inner qualities instead of focusing on the outer aspects of themselves in the crucial earlier years of their lives, and provides a platform for practicing discipline.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Personality And Individuality In School Uniforms

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Gail Manchini’s article, even though she does not agree with uniforms, she still acknowledges the part of her research that shows that uniforms have a positive affect on a child’s ability to learn. She found that this is partly do to the fact that uniforms help create a less distracting learning area. There is evidence that school uniforms not only control violence but also promote ideas and achievement as students focus more on academic pursuits (Manchini 61). Uniforms also help students get more sleep at night by already determining what they are going to wear each day. Studies have found that students who generally got a good night’s sleep performed better on exams (Howard

    Read More

  • School Uniforms Should Be Mandatory

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    Wharton, Claudene. “School Uniform Study.” UNR.edu. University of Nevada, 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.

    Read More

More about Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools

Open Document