Uniform Policy The uniform policies in today’s schools are viewed as having some positive and negative effects, who you ask determines what answer you get. Students often have more of a negative opinion towards uniforms, while teachers and school administrators have more of a positive opinion towards the uniforms. Uniforms can resolve some of the negative social aspects for students and reduce disciplinary actions in the schools. Along the same lines uniforms and uniforms violations can be taken too far by teachers.
In 1996, President Bill Clinton from Arkansas endorsed school uniforms in a State of the Union addresses (Eppinger 1). Several years later Beauregard Parish School Board adopted parish wide uniform policy, similar to that of President Clinton’s policy. The basics of the policy is that all students must wear an appropriate colored and styled polo shirt or blouse/dress shirt, khaki shorts or pant (with no cargo pockets), white or black socks, and lastly shoes with backs. Pull overs have to be school colors, Jackets cannot be below the knees, and belts must be worn. At all times there should not be any identifying logos. Principals of the schools can determine if school t-shirts can be worn and can decide on free-dress days. (“South,” 3).
With all students being in uniforms there is less distraction in the class room from faddish clothes. Students are less likely to disrupt the classroom time, by discussing their clothes. The uniform once donned, would get the student in the frame of mind that everything should be “down to business (Eppinger 2). More focused attention is placed on studies than on seeking peer approval. Students will always seek peer approval; however with uniforms it is now more focused on academics verses anything else ( “Impact of School Uniforms on Academic achievement & Student Behavior
Students are becoming more concerned with what they are wearing and they are being distracted from the learning process. Although many students are not happy with the strictness some of the school’s new uniform policies, the policies should stay in place in order to increase school safety, devote student’s attention to learning and reduce bullying and peer pressure.
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.
It has been observed that the adoption of school uniform policies can promote school safety, improve discipline, and enhance the learning environment. The potential benefits of school uniforms include decreasing violence and theft. Some instances involving designer clothing and expensive sneakers have even led to life-threatening situations among students. Uniforms would also prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school. Uniforms would also teach students discipline and help them resist peer pressure. Uniforms would also help students concentrate on their schoolwork and would help school officials detect intruders who come unwelcome into the school.
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.
One of the greatest controversies that is spreading throughout high schools in the United States is parents and their children against the enforcement of their school’s uniform policy. More schools have been adopting uniform policies within the past decade. Rules contained in the policy that are implemented range from wearing certain types of tops (shirts) in specified colors to students being required to tuck in their shirts. In the past, uniforms were exclusively for students who attended private schools because they were “well-off”, but now uniforms are being seen more frequently in public schools on students of all economic levels. Having gone through a school system that considered adopting a uniform policy, I would have to press
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.
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.
Uniforms in public schools are becoming accepted throughout the world. The public school systems would benefit significantly if this policy were to be accepted. Wearing uniforms in public schools result in positive effects.
Students are distracted by the variety of clothing they choose to wear it takes away from them gaining inner knowledge. Students choose to wear fancy, strange, or bright colorful clothes. Students become more interested in paying attention to what other students are wearing and what they have instead of focusing on the subject they are being taught in class. Students should be focusing on gaining new knowledge and skills. Wearing uniforms would teach students how to focus on their personalities, inner beauty, rather than their
(“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.
Uniforms are worn for many different reasons such as being in jail or going to work, and you can see them today almost anywhere in the world. Now uniforms are becoming a popular trend amongst schools. The question is should students be forced to wear them? Some parents and teachers say that uniforms keep the students focused on academics and not fashion. Opposers believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. Although, uniforms do limit the student’s choice to wear whatever they please, which is the con to having the enforcement, uniforms are supposed to be looked upon as a positive thing. They eliminate bullying, help students focus only on academics, combine social classes and gives the school campus a professional
The issue of wearing school uniforms has been subject to debate over a number of years. It is important to note that initially, the concept of students wearing school uniforms was not widely embraced. Initially, the concept of wearing school uniforms was mainly practiced in private schools and public schools begun to apply the concept as recently as 1994 (Chen, “Public School Uniforms: The Pros and Cons for Your Child”). This move was mainly implemented to address safety issues that have been affecting academic institutions. However, there are still different schools of thought that have reservations when it comes to the issue of wearing school uniforms. This boils down to the question of whether school uniforms are beneficial or they have
With uniforms, it may restrict the desire for students to dress themselves to impress or stand out. Wearing something they are comfortable with and what they love may increase their confidence level and not curb their creativity. Sometimes when students had to obey the rules and regulations, they might feel locked up inside as they cannot really express themselves. This case can lead to several discipline cases as a student can act aggressively since they think the need to wear uniforms will cut off their
All individuals struggle with discovering who they are and who they may want to be in the future. School environment, either negatively or positively, impacts the result of this greatly. Uniforms in the learning environment have become a highly debated subject all across the country. Although some individuals believe school uniforms have a positive affect, those people should understand the negatives because uniforms promote appearance over character, lower student’s self-esteem, and conflict with the right of expression.
School uniforms mean no hassle when choosing what to wear at school, often more affordable than fashion clothing and have much less get ready time in the morning. Which could be extended amount of time and effort with wealthier families. Uniforms also work great for making students feel equal and balanced.