Sarah+Newbury

=My Notes=

Uniforms in Public Schools [|uniforms]

pros&cons of uniforms [|pros&cons]

more about uniforms, statistics [|more on uniforms]


 * School uniforms:**
 * Help prevent gangs from forming on campus
 * Encourage discipline
 * Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes
 * Help identify intruders in the school
 * Diminish economic and social barriers between students
 * Increase a sense of belonging and school pride
 * Improve attendance

[|more on uniforms]

[|pros of uniforms]


 * PROS **
 * Experts believe that children who wear school uniforms  do better academically. This is due to a myriad of reasons, including not wasting time in the morning getting ready, lack of distractions, and a more formal studying environment.
 * School uniforms  may significantly reduce [|peer pressure]. With students not having to worry about their looks, fitting in not longer becomes the main worry in kid's lives. School  uniforms  may also provide a way out for poor children who otherwise couldn't keep up with the trends and would face ridicule or pressure from other children.
 * On the same note, while the initial investment to get school uniforms  may be high, children can then wear the same outfit without having to worry about owning a large change of clothes.  Uniforms  are usually made out of durable, easy-to-care for materials that do not require frequent replacement.


 * Schools Uniform Pros**: Let us see the pros of school uniforms (These are mostly from the PTA point of view).
 * School uniforms are a great way to maintain a level of social equality amongst the students of public schools: The concept of knowing the social background is avoided. As such, personal biases are not formed and merit is the only deciding factor.
 * Modesty in attire can be maintained: It is very easy, if school uniforms are a part of the system, to avoid promiscuity in young adults. Students will learn to respect each other on the basis of how they get along and not how sexy they look.
 * The extent of distraction (due to undue attraction) is considerably reduced: Let's face it, glam girls and bouncy boys can be quite a distraction for certain people. More so, uniforms can help in avoiding random attraction and it's repercussions.
 * Builds a sense of ambassadorship and loyalty in the students: Due to the fact that all the students will be dressing in similar attire, which will be unique to the school, the students will develop a sense of ambassadorship and loyalty to the school.
 * Avoids occurrence of complex syndromes (inferiority and superiority): Uniforms will help avoid silly psychological issues. Students will not be known by what they wear, but by how they perform.
 * Builds team spirit in the students: Similar attire fosters team spirit.
 * School Uniforms encourage a sense of proprietary and discipline: Uniforms will create a sense of discipline and an ability in the students, to make sure that they are dressed in accordance to the expectation of the school.

[|School uniforms] are a hot topic in todays society. There are both advantages and disadvantages that can result from students being forced to wear uniforms. The main question being posed is do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It appears that people are starting to believe so. In 1997, the fraction of schools that were requiring some sort of uniform was only at 3%. By 1999, this number had rose to 22%. It is no longer just private schools who tend to favor uniforms either. Today, 95% of New Orleans’, 85% of Cleveland’s, and 80% of Chicago's public schools all require uniforms. However, the vast majority of public schools in the United States still do not require uniforms, but implement a dress code as part of their policies. Although, it is believed by many that uniforms do a lot to unify the student body, reduce distractions, and add structure to the learning environment, a recent study revealed that the main reason schools in the United States are turning to uniforms is because of the rise in gang activity. Teen gangs are identifiable by their attire as they display different colors and styles through their choice of clothing. It is believed that if we can reduce the number of gangs, then we can reduce the amount of crimes that are associated with gang behavior. Also, uniforms are believed to reduce rivalry among students because they work to level the socioeconomic playing field and studies have proven that uniforms reduce theft related to items of clothing. School uniforms are believed by many to improve behavior in general and reduce contention among students. One study of a Long Beach California School showed that adopting school uniforms reduced crime by 91% and sexual offenses where reduced by 96%.

=FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT OTHER SCHOOL UNIFORMS PROGRAMS=


 * The Long Beach Unified School District was one of the first major school districts in the country to implement mandatory school uniforms for its' students. In this district, uniforms are required in Kindergarten through 8th grade in all of the elementary and middle schools, accounting for about 60,000 students. Their uniform is made up of navy or black bottoms and white tops.

Many other large and small school districts have followed suit, New York City, San Antonio, TX, Miami, Fl, Chicago, IL and many others.

In February of 1996, President Clinton made a statement that encouraged the use of school uniforms as an important part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline. Since then many other local and state politicians have echoed this sentiment. During that same year, President Clinton asked the Department of Education to prepare guidelines for the implementation of school uniforms in public schools.

Some facts provided by an NPD School Uniform Study:

A school uniform wardrobe consists of about 13 items: 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 4 pair of socks or tights and one other accessory item. Households purchasing school uniforms generally spent less on children's school clothes than households buying clothing for children who attend schools with no dress codes ($103.50 versus $184.60.) Of the public schools with a school uniform policy, about 3/4 have a mandatory policy and 1/4 have a voluntary policy (uniforms are not required but are recommended.) Families in which a child wears a school uniform are generally favorable about school uniform policies. Over half believe they save money on clothes and 44% believe that their children are more focused on learning. A specific color is required for 90% of all school uniform tops and bottoms. Sixty percent of all individuals wearing school uniforms attend schools with a policy requiring specific colors and styles for their tops and bottoms/uniform. ||

[|education on uniforms]

[|history of uniforms]

A study from the university of Alabama found: The authors point out that if uniforms work, they should see some of the following trends in schools with uniforms: 1. Student uniforms decrease substance use (drugs). 2. Student uniforms decrease behavioral problems. 3. Student uniforms increase attendance. 4. Student uniforms increase academic achievement.

Most preliminary findings come from the Long Beach (California) Unified School District, the first U.S. public school system to require uniforms for elementary and middle school students. Before implementing its policy in September 1994, the school district required approval from two-thirds of the parents (Caruso 1996). Long Beach Superintendent Carl A. Cohn reported that during the first year suspensions decreased by 32 percent, school crime by 36 percent, fighting by 51 percent, and vandalism by 18 percent (Cohn). At Whittier Elementary, attendance rates have risen each year since the policy went into effect, reaching a high of 96 percent (Caruso). Schools in Chicago, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, and Virginia have made similar claims (Caruso). Parents have responded favorably to uniform policies. In Long Beach, only 500 parents petitioned to opt their children out of the mandate. In a national marketing survey conducted by Lands End, a Wisconsin-based clothing catalog company, respondents agreed that a uniform policy "could help reduce problems associated with dress," and most felt the price was "about the same or less than the cost of a regular school wardrobe" (//California School News//). California requires school districts to subsidize the cost of uniforms for low-income students. A 1996 survey of 306 middle school students in the Charleston, South Carolina, County School District found that school uniforms affected student preceptions of school climate. Students in a middle school with a uniform policy had a significantly higher perception of their school's climate than did students in a school without a uniform policy (Murray 1997). Student reactions range from delight at not having to decide what to wear to displeasure at looking like a "nerd." It is important, therefore, to include students as well as parents in the uniform-selection process.
 * What Are the Outcomes to Date?**

One of the chief benefits of school uniforms, say proponents, is that they make schools safer. Uniforms are said to reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers. Parents benefit because they are no longer pressured to buy the latest fashions, and they spend less on their children's clothing. Uniforms are also claimed to help erase cultural and economic differences among students, set a tone for serious study, facilitate school pride, and improve attendance (Cohn 1996, Loesch 1995, Paliokos and others 1996). Proponents also say uniforms enhance students' self-concepts, classroom behavior, and academic performance (Caruso 1996).
 * What Are the Arguments in Favor of School Uniforms?**

//"This morning I want to talk with you about what we can do to break hold of gangs and violence in our schools and what we can do to create an atmosphere in our schools that promotes discipline and order and learning ... I believe we should give strong support to school districts that decide to require young students to wear school uniforms. We’ve all seen the tragic headlines screaming of the death of a teenager who was killed for a pair of sneakers or jewelry or a designer jacket. In Detroit, a 15-year old boy was shot for his $86 basketball shoes. In Fort Lauderdale, a 15-year old student was robbed of his jewelry. Just this past December in Oxon Hill, Maryland, a 17-year old honor student was killed at a bus stop, caught in the cross fire during the robbery of another students designer jacket"// (Clinton, "Transcript," 1-2). Why are we proposing to mandate school uniforms for all elementary and middle schools students, while at the same time excluding high school students? Is it not obvious, by the President’s own accounting, that the problem group is teenage students ages 15 and older? Moreover, is there any indisputable evidence that school uniforms can help cure society’s violence and disciplinary problems? How reliable are the statistics that show the short term implementation of school uniforms in a select group of elementary and middle schools prevents violence? Knowing all of this, are we still willing to freely give up more of our God given constitutional rights? Worse yet, by accepting this proposal, are we saying that we are in favor of stifling the creativity and individuality of our children? There is no question that school uniforms can instill a feeling of school spirit, school pride and social acceptance. When compared to designer clothes and name brand basketball shoes, school uniforms can also be a cost effective solution to school wear. Surely, this is an appealing benefit to those families that find it difficult, if not impossible, to afford such luxuriance. Certainly, parents will find that it is easier to shop for their children’s school attire, and the students will be able to quickly choose their outfits for school in the morning. [|excellent info of my uniforms work!]

[|positive effects of uniforms]

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