The idea of requiring uniforms in public and private schools has become an increasingly popular topic among school officials, parents, and students. While the United States often only requires uniforms in private schools, the idea of implementing a dress code in public schools is growing. Unlike the United States, requiring uniforms in other countries such as Japan and South Korea is extremely common. Year after year the children in these countries continue to surpass American children when compared academically using standardized tests (Yeung). Although this may be true, the United States is still behind on the internationally popular dress code policy due to opponents who believe that uniforms do not benefit school systems. Instead, opponents argue that …show more content…
With that being said, as more research about the benefits of uniforms develops, the more common dress code policies are becoming in the United States. With the appropriate research, school officials, parents, and students are becoming more aware of the importance of enforcing dress code policies. As research has shown, uniforms can create a sense of unity and develop self-confidence in students (Caruso). Uniforms can also improve academic performance and limit violence among students (King). While opponents will argue that there is not enough evidence to back up the value of a dress code, research proves that uniforms can be beneficial to school systems. Just as Japan and South Korea have implemented dress codes in their school systems, the time has come for the United States to recognize the value of school uniforms (Yeung). The question still remains, should all schools in the United States be required to enforce a dress code policy? In order to provide optimum learning in the classroom, uniforms are needed now more than
Determining what to wear to school is difficult for the majority of middle and high schoolers. Wouldn't it be simpler to just have a set outfit planned for each and every day? Throughout education history, the concept of school uniforms has been experimented and debated within both public and private schools. Several schools across the United States require these uniforms, while the rest apply a dress code. Although applying a dress code may seem as if it eliminates all issues with inappropriate clothing violation, it is truly not advantageous. The only alternative to mend this situation would be to enforce school uniforms. Not only would this decrease dress code violations, it would lessen discipline referrals, improve students' self esteems,
Dress codes and uniforms have been a controversial debate that has been going on for years. They are still widely taken into consideration, and argued about in today’s educational system and institutions. Newly enforced dress codes and uniforms have been on the uprise recently, largely due to school shootings and violence, as well as disciplinary issues dealt with on a daily basis. There are various interpretations of dress codes, but the cons clearly outweigh the pros of dress codes.
In high school and middle school, however, most of the learning comes from inside the classroom. Adolescents often find out a lot about who they are in their school environments. “Ten states currently allow states to mandate school uniforms” (Boutelle, Marsha. "UNIFORMS: Are They a Good Fit?." Education Digest, vol. 73, no. 6, Feb. 2008, pp. 34-37. EBSCOhost). The advocates of school uniforms believe that they will reduce violence in schools and promote a better learning environment for students.
In addition to the apparent bullying over style trends and choices, another issue that could be eliminated through the incorporation of uniforms is the lessening of disciplinary action directed towards students for dress code violations. Almost daily, students are sent to the office for dress code checks which are most often handled by the Vice Principal. Students are commonly sent for checks based on the following items that are considered questionable: midriff revealing tops, ripped and low-rise jeans, short skirts and shorts, exposed shoulders and necklines and spandex for the girls. Then there are ill-fitting jeans and inappropriate slogans on t-shirts and sweatshirts for the boys. A uniform policy would eliminate the need for dress code checks, which would enable the vice principal to concentrate on more important issues within the high school. Not only would uniforms eliminate this disciplinary issue of student dress, but the incorporation of a uniform policy would better prepare students
For years, schools all over the nation have been debating whether or not a dress code should be enforced. With many different opinions and thoughts about this topic, there is evidence to support both sides. Students, parents, and teachers all have opinions and ideas about dress code, but when it all comes down to it there is one simple question: Should schools have dress codes? After reviewing different sources, obvious results have shown that dress codes and uniforms have done more good than harm and have improved many different aspects of the learning environment.
School uniforms and dress codes are becoming a popular trend among schools. Most Students and some parents don’t agree with the enforcement with school uniforms, saying that uniforms are taking away self-expression in schools. But, school uniforms are not a negative thing to have. Yes, uniforms and some very strict dress codes limit what the students have to choose to wear to school every day, but it doesn’t limit them from learning which is the main reason they are in school. Some students treat school as a fashion show, so eliminating the size of wardrobe shifts the attention toward their school work. Although requiring students to wear school uniforms may violate their self-expression in some ways, a uniform is supposed to be looked
At first glance, fashion might seem to have very little to do with learning, but as the saying goes, “The clothes make the man,” or in this case “The clothes makes the student”— school uniform policies seemed to have made the difference in many schools throughout the world. Over the last decade, the implementation of such policy has been on the rise, bringing about waves of debate among students, parents and teachers. Today, more than ever before, the role of a teacher has become much more complex. Most assume responsibilities that extend outside of the more traditional instructional role, and include expectations to provide student with emotional and social support. One of many concerns that educators face each day is dealing with problems or distractions that students often bring with them when they enter the classrooms. School uniform mandate was one of the solutions that were put to task to help cultivate a positive learning environment. Evidence indicates that mandatory school uniform policies are an important part of a comprehensive approach that can raise self-discipline and academic achievement to a higher standard.
Uniforms are argued to positively affect student safety by: lowering student victimization, decreasing gang activity and fights and differentiating strangers from students in school building. Dress codes in public schools would be good, in order to cut down the violence, which would eliminate the problems of
It is not certain that dress codes reduce school violence or strengthen statistical numbers for academic achievement. Research has stated that the theories of increasing good behavior and increasing test scores is inconclusive. The authorities do not take students personal feelings into consideration regarding strict policies Kade A., a sixth grade student, when asked about school uniforms said, “No, I don’t like them, because they are uncomfortable, and make you feel like you are in your church clothes all the time.” Daycen J., another student said, “I don’t like school uniforms because they take away student’s individuality.” (Kade). A study performed by David L. Brunsma , University of Alabama and Kerry A. Rockquemore of Notre Dame, entitled Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and Academic Achievement, showed that uniforms did not lead to an improvement in these areas. (Hinckley 1). The results only go to show that uniforms can not completely responsible for making a permanent change. Although implementing uniforms may help decrease risk of danger, it's not like putting a band aid over a gash a uniform is not going to make all issues disappear. Dress codes can cause discrimination, school officials may pay more attention ultimately this is biased. “Moreover, dress codes may contain an
It is a belief that school uniforms teach students to respect their learning environment and behave themselves, and, therefore improving discipline. However, that assumption isn’t entirely correct. Researchers have actually found that school uniforms don’t make students better behaved. According to a study of more than 4,500 students, those who wore a school uniform did not have fewer behavior problems or better attendance. Forcing students to wear uniforms lead to more problems and misbehavior instead of encouraging discipline. Students could get into trouble if they did not wear their uniforms correctly. Many kids in today’s society cannot stand the thought of someone telling them what to do, especially what to wear. Instead of encouraging respect, uniforms may cause rebellions. For example, in 2009, a group of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High School rebelled against their school uniforms. Instead of following their school uniform requirements, the students wore what they thought would be a better school uniform to school. Not only uniforms don’t earn schools the respect from its students, but it may also lead to more problems.
This paper will explore research in order to examine if there are any direct benefits or advantages for students who attend schools that have developed and initiated a mandatory dress code policy, mainly in wearing school uniforms. My school, St. Mary’s Central High School, has recently adopted a uniform policy. It is ever changing as we are meeting the needs of our students.
When students wear uniforms, students do not improve in any way. Student’s academic scores do not go higher when they wear a uniform. Researcher Virginia Draa found that “implementing a uniform policy in schools did not have any impact on academic performance”. If schools are hoping for their student’s academic scores to go higher by implementing uniforms, they would be better off without uniforms. Wearing uniforms don’t help a student’s attitude. A 2010 study in a large urban school district in the Southwest found that asking students to wear uniforms did not result in any change in the number of suspensions for elementary school students. Student’s behavior won’t change, if schools wanted to implement uniform. Uniforms don’t have any positive impact on students,
Lack of parents support is the most significant reason for schools failing to implement any sort of school uniform code. Parents, teachers, and students should support the need for school uniforms in public schools so that they may be able to achieve higher educational goals. This paper will discuss many of the pros to the debate on uniforms in public schools as well as touch on some of the cons on the subject. After weighing the two sides, it will demonstrate how the pros are a more sensible alternative and why schools should require mandatory uniforms for their students.
Dress codes has been apart of the educational system for many years. Administrators have struggled to find effective ways to deal with discipline problems. The creation of the dress codes has been a common solution for many educational system to help decrease the number of disciplinary issues that are dealt with on a daily basis. Things such as gang activity, bullying, increasing violence can all be traced to the way people in school’s dress. The dress code policy is considered to be a "fix all" solution in many public schools, but has failed to resolve the big issues. Dress codes should not be instituted to fix a particular problem, but should be looked at to help overall school reform. This why most private schools have a particular uniform that students must wear every single day. To try and resolve the issue. However, a school uniform policy does not carry enough weight that produces a safe learning environment or helps students achieve their goals at being successful. A student's role is to come into school everyday to learn, without having to worry about gang activities, being bullying or having someone start a fight with them because they are wearing a particular color.
Regulating a dress code throughout the schools can help keep its students safe from harm. In today's time, there are many threats that children are exposed to in school and out of school. For example, in case of a lockdown, “Outsiders who do not belong on campus are easily identified, and thus, do not pose a great threat to the students.” (Chen p.3) Having the students wear uniforms can assist in