School uniforms are nothing new. Anyone old enough to remember the Cold War is old enough to remember school uniforms. But, they were worn in parochial schools and not in public schools. Today, uniforms are becoming popular in public schools. What is the attraction?
Uniforms Make Schools Safer
One issue that allowed the students to have guns in school assault incidents was the permissive dress code. Students were allowed to carry large bookbags with them to classes and wear oversized coats to class. Guns were easily concealed. Because of this, schools across the nation are no longer allowing students to carry bookbags to classes, wear coats and some even ban the wearing of cargo pants that have large pockets.
School safety awareness was brought to everyone’s attention after Columbine. Schools began implementing policies on what to do in case the school had an intruder. Some schools designate special codes alerting classrooms of an intruder in the building. One school may announce "red day" which is a code for teachers to lock doors and move children away from doors. Another school may announce, "The 6 a.m. meeting for tomorrow is canceled." The children won’t panic but the teacher will understand the meaning.
Teachers and principals of students wearing uniforms can quickly see if there are non-students present in the building. In a sea of navy blue and khaki, school personnel can quickly spot a person that is a non-student.
Uniforms Decrease Designer Clothes Peer Pressure
Some parents want their children to be seen as very special and will dress the children in designer clothes. While they may or may not notice, the other children are being taught a subtle lesson: "Polly is better than I am because she has better clothes." Some children may take that a step farther and interpret the situation to mean they are lesser people and self-esteem takes a hit.
Attendance was being affected by teasing and bullying toward students that could not afford to come dressed in the latest fashion. Some would rather stay home than come to school and subject themselves to verbal torture from peers.
Majority of Parents Support Uniforms
Many schools will adopt uniforms only if parents vote in an overwhelming majority in support of uniforms. Parents have a wide variety of reasons why they support uniforms or dress codes but most agree that uniforms save time in the morning deciding what to wear. And, uniforms are more economical in comparison to buying a wardrobe for school.
New Jersey Schools Increasing Number of Schools with Uniforms
New Jersey schools have been very pleased with uniform policies and this fall, nearly two dozen more NJ public schools have opened doors with students wearing uniforms. Some schools that began with dress codes are kicking it up a notch and adopting uniforms. [1]
Benefits of School Uniforms
Administrators state that there are many reasons they are keeping uniform policies in place.
- Visitors are quickly spotted
- Improved attendance
- Decreasing crime
- School pride
- Positive learning environment
- Lessen peer pressure
- Less truancy
- Less gang activity
- Decrease distractions
While there is little research supporting the fact that uniforms actually raise test scores, the frequent side effects of uniforms are a better ability to focus, less peer pressure, and school pride. Those side effects may be well worth adopting a dress code policy.
[1] "More N.J. schools turn to student uniforms to improve education," New Jersey Real Time, September 03, 2009.
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