21. June 2010 by student.

Dressed for Success - - While school uniforms continue to be a highly debated topic, I believe that all elementary and middle schools should have a mandatory uniform program because it has been shown to increase academic performance, decrease violence, and effectively enhance the overall educational experience in preparing our youth of today for their future tomorrow.

While there are critics out there, uniform programs are getting increasingly popular. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “In 05-06, about 14% of school principals reported that their school required students to wear uniforms” compared to “almost 12% in 99–00.” “As of 09, there are 21 states requiring their students to wear uniforms”.  

In addition to being linked to better performance and increased focus, uniforms set a more work-like and serious tone within the school learning environment. This perpetuates an educational atmosphere resulting in better student performance where focus is no longer on what fashions are being worn, but instead on academic success. In her Letter to the Editor, of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, LBUSD Board President Karin Polacheck, states that “These [uniform] schools are becoming educational workplaces. Students arrive dressed for success, ready to learn. They’re getting along with one another better and experiencing significant gains.” Students in uniforms arrive to school with a more studious and eager attitude for learning.

In addition, a well-rounded uniform program contributes to improved social outcomes for students by reducing social snobbery and judgment by what is being worn. It relieves students from income strapped families from the pressure to have and wear the latest high cost fashions. It helps to decrease social cliques based on look and fashion, and in some cases, is even shown to reduce peer pressure. The environment is seen as a workplace for learning, not as a playground, catwalk, or battleground. 

Ideas and experience suggest that a well implemented uniform program contributes to a decrease in absences and tardiness. Students spend less time struggling with what to wear and getting ready in the morning. In addition, decreased thought on wardrobe worries increases time spent on studying and homework and contributes to more time focused on learning.

In improving the social environment through mandatory standardized dress, both academic and behavioral outcomes improve as students are more likely to follow established rules, which in turn, reduce violence within the school. While a lot of the data regarding the positive aspects of a mandatory uniform program are attributed to anecdotal evidence and it may be tough to find concrete data directly linking school uniforms to dramatic reductions in crime, school officials have taken notice and the coincidence of a uniform program and these positive effects can not be discounted. 

Overall the cost of purchasing uniforms for children costs less than might be expected.  In fact, a recent NPD School Uniform Study indicated that 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). Families in which a child wears a school uniform believe they save money on clothes and 44% believe that their children are more focused on learning.” (qtd. in “Facts”).  In her book, School Dress Codes, A Pro/Con Issue, Barbara Cruz says it right on the money when she writes “It is important to make certain that the uniforms are affordable, easy to care for, and available from several stores” (54). While some styles may have limited use outside of the school environment, there are certainly less pieces and less of a variety that parents need to purchase.

A uniform program gives off a sense of ‘team’ as the students feel a part of the school, a sort of ownership which instills feelings of pride and oneness as everyone is on the same level as far as fashion is concerned. This in turn, directs the focus inward towards academics and creative outlets for recognition and popularity from their peers. And in the real world, most, if not all professions, enforce a dress code of some sort. So, we are in effect doing our children a favor by preparing them for real world experiences that await their eager and creative job skills. Uniforms within school walls provide an atmosphere filled with loyalty, pride, and equality among the students. 

While some students and critics complain that the fit and feel of uniform pieces are uncomfortable or lack a good fit, it is important as a parent to take the time to shop ahead with the student to ensure a quality selection of choices of pieces. In fact, major retailers like Sears and K-mart have begun stocking uniforms in the past five years. There are many options for sleek, comfortable, and stylish uniform pieces at an increasing number of chain stores.

Critics claim that self expression is stifled by uniform programs and those students find other inappropriate ways to express themselves, including the use of makeup or jewelry. In addition, the ACLU’s argument for the First Amendment that uniforms stifle a students right to self expression and free speech comes into play as there are several court cases out there beginning as early as 1969.  These cases basically charge that uniforms attempt to force every student into one mold and that it is not in the best interest to try to control socialization, which is a part of human nature. For the most part, the courts have sided with the schools right to impose a mandatory uniform program to carry out the educational goals of the school. To sum it up, the courts say that dress codes have not been found to violate personal liberty, since clothing can be changed after school.

In contrast, I say school uniforms do encourage self-expression! Is our self expression only limited to what we wear? Of course not! Sure fashion is a small part of it, but even my first grader styles it each morning with jewelry, shoes, socks, and even her glasses. If the argument is that a uniform program stifles self expression are they not forgetting about so much more? Do our children not have so many other means to express their creative sides in school through art, music, drama, sports, academics, and such? With a uniform program my daughter is free to express her creativity while not having to worry about comparing her wardrobe to the cool or ‘in’ crowd. Clothes don’t make her, her personality does! Individuality shouldn’t come from what we have on the outside, but who we are on the inside.

With a plethora of information and opinions out there about uniform programs in public schools, who better to ask than a local public school teacher? Ms. Bennet is a First Grade Teacher at Diplomat Elementary in Cape Coral, Florida. Upon posing the question to her about how her experience teaching at a non-uniform public school differed to that of her current experience at Diplomat, she had this to say. “At the non uniform school I was always having to tell students their clothes were inappropriate, especially the girls who wore spaghetti straps to school.  At the uniform schools I have taught at, there has been much more of a focus on teaching, I don’t have to waist time discussing dress code [as] expectations on what the students are allowed to wear are already set and the children and parents know what can be worn in order to abide by the rules.”

Finally, has anyone thought to stop and ask the kids what they want? If we afforded them the opportunity to hear all the pros and cons, it might to be surprising to learn that more students actually will prefer uniforms. I know that I am doing my daughter a favor by sending her to a school with a mandatory uniform program that perpetuates an enhanced academic and social environment in which she will continue to learn and grow. Doesn’t everyone want the same for all kids in America? I know my daughter is dressed for success each school day and I hope the same for all kids.

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21. June 2010 by student.

Nature vs Nurture is the big debate when it comes to sexuality.  I believe that there is no black and white answer.  It is not Nature and it is not nurture, it is a combination of both.  I know one person who was born into a normal family, had a normal upbringing, had 3 normal straight brothers and is gay.  In cases like this, it would be assumed that nature had a lot to do with it. He was born that way.  On the other hand, a close family friend adopted a young son from Honduras, as a child he was very normal, he was just like all of the other little boys.  While growing up, his mother would only buy him barbie dolls, my little pet shop and fingernail polish.  Toy guns were too violent. She treated him like he was her daughter and not her son.  Now, he has changed his name. He is now named Victoria and is waiting to become a girl.  This I believe is a huge case of nurture.  His mother molded him into what he is today.  Yes, maybe there was some genetic predisposition for the change, but it is mostly a case of nurture.  The big question is nature or nurture, and I believe that the answer is both.

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