School Uniforms--Growing Trend

More and more public schools are embracing uniforms

Sep 26, 2006 Barbara Pytel

When we hear "school uniforms", we immediately think of small, parochial schools in the 1950's. Plaid skirts, white blouses, and a cardigan sweater. That's changing.

School improvement is the latest buzz word in education. All schools are looking for a magic pill to decrease bullying and improve academics. How do uniforms fit into this picture?

Research

Most Baltimore students will be wearing school uniforms this year. Eddie Scott, principal at Meade Middle on Fort Meade, tells the Baltimore Sun's writer, Anica Butler, "There's research that shows a correlation between appropriate dress and academic performance." Students will not be distracted with who is wearing what brand of jeans, shoes or shirts. Students can focus on learning which is why they are there.

The Procedure

School boards do not just make the decision to require uniforms. There is a procedure that many find to be successful. One school chose the following:

• Parents are polled
• 70% of surveys must be returned
• 80% of parents must be in favor
• Choose between a voluntary or mandatory policy
• Choose the style and cost of uniform
• How will the uniforms be made available to parents?

Some schools are adopting a dress code and not formal uniforms. All students may wear a red or navy polo shirt and navy, black or khaki slacks. The objective is the same.

Results?

While it is impossible to calculate the direct effect of uniforms, schools that have adopted them find that performance and behavior do improve. There is also a sense of unity among the students--everyone belongs here.

Past studies have shown that some poor students would miss school because their "best" outfit was not clean and they just couldn't go to school and face students dressed better. Other students were the source of bullying if they didn't have nice clothes to wear. This, of course, was very distracting to focusing in school. Some parents would choose just the right clothing for school to ensure their children popularity and status. This has a negative impact on the self-esteem of other students who can not afford to dress the same.

Gang Attire

Gangs have uniforms. Schools have banned bandanas, baggy pants, and certain colors from being worn in school. There is pressure on students to dress like a particular gang for protection from another gang. Wearing a uniform reduces the chance of violence.

Many schools are adopting strict dress codes to reduce distractions and violence.

Distraction is Reduced

A very common comment from parents and administrators is that students no longer waste time fussing about what to wear to school. Students also are not distracted by who is wearing what next to them and what will be said at lunch time about what you are wearing. Some schools are actually going to a same gender format to avoid distractions. And, a nice bonus is saving money on clothes purchased for school. However, more affluent schools are also adopting uniforms. Uniforms are not just for inner-city schools.

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.

The copyright of the article School Uniforms--Growing Trend in Educational Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish School Uniforms--Growing Trend in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Feb 25, 2009 9:32 AM

Guest :

I think school uniforms are good because they help in making everyone the same, it stops bullying from what people are wearing PLUS then everyone can be treated equally !
And you look smart and presentable !

Mar 29, 2009 5:07 PM

Guest :

Uniforms are not a good thing at school becuase as teen they dont express there feelings and there own way of style

Jun 5, 2009 4:40 AM

Guest :

It is not impossible to express yourself without the option of clothing. Uniforms help students be creative in other ways and force students to express themselves in the classroom. Also, even though improvement of school behavior cannot be directly resulted to uniforms, there are groups of schools who see the same results. It can't be "just a coincidence".

Jun 10, 2009 9:37 AM

Guest :

I think it really saves time in the morning
If there were no school uniform I would be late to school every morning, thinking about what I should wear

Jun 17, 2009 10:34 AM

Guest :

As a mother of three children and a volunteer at the schoool, uniforms would greatly benefit the children and parents. Our school is in hot debate over this issue. My goal is for children to learn,not focus on what their neighbor has. Our forefathers faught for equality, children of all classes deserve this right. I believe that there will be more unity among students if they all have the same uniform on.

Jul 30, 2009 11:39 AM

Guest :

As a parent with children in uniforms, i know that it still has it pros and cons. If you think uniform is good because it keeps down confusion of the bullies and stuff, its so not true. Wealthy students still gets picked on because of the name brand of the uniforms, and the name brand of shoes and less fortunate students get picked on because they cant afford the Tommy Hilfiger, Polo and all the other designers that also make uniforms. The pro of it is that they are much neater and presentable.So I think that it all starts at home where we train our children to respect everyone no matter how much more or less fortunate they are because somewhere down the line they picked it up from someone else.

Dec 9, 2009 11:26 AM

Guest :

they are ugly

Jan 7, 2010 7:28 PM

Guest :

That is precisely the point, that you don't distract others in the class by expressing your style on what you wear. You go to school to learn not to express your style!!

Jan 31, 2010 3:39 PM

Guest :

Being a teen I feel uniforms constrict what little rights I have already.

9 Comments