Uniform Policies in the US

School Uniform Policies in the U.S. : 

School Uniform Policies in the U.S. Uniforms or Uniqueness?

History in the U.S. : 

History in the U.S. 1980s: A Nation at Risk highlights inadequacies in U.S. schools 1987: Baltimore Cherry Hill Elementary School implements policy 1995: Long Beach, California publishes remarkable results 1996: President Bill Clinton advocates school uniforms in his State of the Union Address

Dress Codes to Uniforms : 

Dress Codes to Uniforms 1950s & 1960s: School boards prone to forbidding girls from wearing slacks, forbidding motorcycle jackets and black leather boots, and having blue jean regulations Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 1969: Schools are not to discipline students for nonverbal expressions of speech unless it is disruptive to the classroom setting 1980s: Courts ruling that students may not dress in ways inconsistent with school’s mission (examples: sheer blouses, cross dressing, gang emblems) Bethel Schools v. Frasier, 1986: Schools have responsibility to teach habits and manners of civility Canady v. Bossier Schools, 1998: Schools have the right to implement a uniform policy

School Uniform Policies Adopted by 1996 : 

School Uniform Policies Adopted by 1996 States with uniform regulations California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia Large school systems with voluntary or mandatory uniform policies (mostly in elementary or middle schools) Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Miami, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Seattle, St. Louis

School Uniform Policies Today : 

School Uniform Policies Today School uniform policies in place 15% greater than they were in the 1980s Predominantly at elementary school level but expanding K-12 Drive toward policies occurs mostly in disadvantaged, poor, and minority schools and school districts

Arguments in Support of School Uniforms : 

Arguments in Support of School Uniforms Security Believed to decrease theft and violence- even life threatening situations- over designer clothing and expensive sneakers Helps prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at schools Allows for easy recognition of intruders from the uniformed student body Academic Performance Believed to prevent distractions in the classroom Helps students concentrate on school work Improves classroom behavior

Arguments in Support of School Uniforms (Continued) : 

Arguments in Support of School Uniforms (Continued) School Spirit Believed to engender school spirit Heightens school recognition and school’s image in the community Cost Decreases clothing costs Equalizing effect among peers Parental Support Parents believe school uniforms contribute to better discipline in classrooms Strongest push toward school uniform policies has come from parents

Arguments Against School Uniforms : 

Arguments Against School Uniforms Limited evidence to support school uniforms Individual Factors Potential infringements on students’ First Amendment rights Uniforms teach an undesirable lesson about individuality and making decision based on one’s own internal values Wearing uniforms may delay or prevent students from learning how to work cooperatively with others whose tastes differs from their own Conformity to prevent conflict is not an appropriate message for schools to send to their students

Arguments Against School Uniforms (Continued) : 

Arguments Against School Uniforms (Continued) Group Factors Uniforms do not prevent students from forming cliques or gangs May mask gang activity Too much attention paid to uniforms instead of students themselves Possible regression backward toward racism and classism No effect on social class differentiation Cost Economic hardships for parents Corporate influence in public schools

Things for School Districts to Consider : 

Things for School Districts to Consider Non-compliance policy Shoes for students who walk or cycle to school Allowance for religious or cultural customs Girls and slacks

U.S. Department of Education’s Manual on School Uniforms : 

U.S. Department of Education’s Manual on School Uniforms Get parents involved from the beginning Protect students’ religious expression Protect students’ other rights of expression Determine whether to have a voluntary or mandatory school uniform policy When a mandatory policy is adopted, determine whether to have an “opt out” provision Do not require students to wear a message (example: political slogans) Assist families that need financial help Treat uniforms as part of an overall safety program

The Future of School Uniform Policies in the U.S. : 

The Future of School Uniform Policies in the U.S. “In response to growing levels of violence in our schools, many parents, teachers, and school officials have come to see school uniforms as one positive and creative way to reduce discipline problems and increase school safety.” -U.S. Department of Education