School Uniforms - Now More Than Ever!  

The introduction of school uniforms for public schools into the national debate is not a new subject. 

Parochial and private schools have a long history of using school uniforms (look-alike clothes) to project an atmosphere of uniformity, pride, loyalty, and equality among the student population. 

There has always been an image of professionalism associated with having students participate in a school uniform program. It provides for a more businesslike approach to learning, removing some of the distractions normally confronted when children face the dilemma of possessing the latest designer fashions, or the latest fad sweeping the nation at any given time. 

School uniforms also tend to involve students more, to make them a part of a "team" at the school. This is not so much as to erase their individuality, but to include everyone on the same level as far as image and dress is concerned. 

Another important factor in the use of school uniforms has been cost. With fashions constantly changing from year to year, and season to season, parents have always felt the pressure (from their children) to provide them with the latest peer-pleasing designs. Uniforms reduce the cost of keeping up since they remain the same - day after day, year after year. And their cost, in relation to fashion merchandise, is very appealing over the long term. 

The use of uniforms at school, as opposed to the latest fashions, also may help the child avoid ridicule, embarrassment, or abuse from others over the 'have and have-not' stigma. Uniforms assist in avoiding such conflicts by removing the chance for confrontation over clothing, at least during the child's at-school time. 

The debate will continue, but based on the long and proven history of school uniforms in the private school sector, the positive academic-related results associated with school uniform programs, and the successful launch of mandatory uniform programs in public schools across the country, the trend seems to be developing and gaining support from all parties involved - students, parents, administrators, and the public. 

Why School Uniforms ... and Why Now?  

The subject of implementing the use of school uniforms into public schools has been circulating for years, gaining momentum during the late 1980's and increasing steadily throughout the early 1990's. 

The movement has received several boosts in the last year or two, the biggest being President Clinton's endorsement of the use of school uniforms during his State of the Union address in January of 1996. Concerning student safety, he said: "If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over de-signer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require students to wear school uniforms." He has since touted the idea during speeches around the country, emphasizing that "we must get violence out of our schools, and we must put discipline and learning back in our schools". Support also came through a voice vote from the National Association of Secondary School Principals during their national conference in February, 1996. 

As part of his efforts, the Department of Education distributed a manual to all of the nation's 16,000 school districts with suggestions on how to make school uniforms mandatory and reviews of several 'model' programs currently in place in our public schools.  

  
 There have been several successful programs implemented during the past few years, with the Long Beach, California program being by far the most widely reviewed and written about. Began in the fall of 1994, the program requires uniforms for 70,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grades. With a 98% compliance rate, results during their first years have proven the dramatic effect a successful school uniform policy can have on a school system. The first year alone they saw a 43% reduction in suspensions, 54% fewer fights, a 70% reduction in substance abuse, over 20% fewer cases of weapons possession and robbery, and an over 50% reduction in reports of battery against employees. Other school systems nationwide likewise report similar changes in statistics. And while those improvements cannot be linked entirely to the use of school uniforms, they are none the less part of a growing trend seen as school uniforms and other policies are enforced. 

What makes a successful program? The chart at right states several of the key factors associated with the introduction and implementation of a school uniform program. One of the main factors that needs to be stressed over and over is communication - between the system, the teachers, the parents and the students. 

As public schools delve more into the school uniform process, the debate will increase as to whether they are productive or passive when related to the actual learning capabilities of the student. 

 Children's World's personal comments on school uniform programs....

Based on our experience, we believe the following factors need to be considered when establishing a school uniform policy:

This information submitted by: CHILDREN'S WORLD, of St.JohnCommunities Online Serving the RiverCommunities Online area since 1975 Our thanks to Children's World for contributing this article to Communities Online Inc.