School Uniform Programas Are Beneficial Not A Hindrance
How would you feel if your school decided to switch to a mandatory school uniform policy? Public Schools are faced with many problems that hinder their students education. Gang violence which is the criminal acts of violence committed by a group of people who regularly engage in criminal activity against innocent people is a huge problem schools face especially in low economic areas. Another problem is bullying in which students use superior strength or influence to intimidate, bullying mostly due to someone's dress or look is most common in High Schools. Lastly, low productivity which is the the decreased ability of an entity to yield useful results. Productivity is measured typically through standardized tests scores but can also be seen in a students class attendance and work ethics. If you were a school educator would you want to find a way to solve or lessen these problems? A school uniform program enforced by the school board could lessen or diminish these problems.
Over the past 25 years, gangs have expanded rapidly both in size and in area in which they “operate”. Much of gang activity takes place in public schools. “In 2011 a survey conducted found that 45 percent of high school students say that there are gangs or students who consider themselves to be part of a gang in their school”(Issurdatt). Students should feel safe in school and not scared of fights breaking out or violence by various groups of people. The same goes for bullying. Many bullies find their targets of intimidation to be for what people wear. In an Annual Bullying Survey taken by 4,800 young people, 18% were bullied due to clothing in school. Lastyly lack of productivity in American public school is an issue that affects the future of our country. According to the Department of Education “Over 6 million students missed 15 or more days of school in 2013-14. That's 14 percent of the student population—or about 1 in 7 students.”
All public schools in the United States should aim to increase structure, productivity and overall a safer atmosphere for students. In today's changing times the elimination of statuses and respect many students give to clothing labels and price tags is key. Student attention needs to return to learning in the classroom, rather than how they look, who they associate with and their economic backgrounds. In doing this school boards should inforce and develop a school uniform program.
There are many uniform suppliers and programs that provide to schools however the most beneficial program is Educational Outfitters. There platform is to start new uniform programs in schools that are proven to have a “positive, transformative impact on student attitudes and the academic environment”(EO). They say there uniform program can……
Eliminates peer pressure and competition
Creates a safe, focused academic atmosphere
Fosters unity among diverse student populations
Increases school spirit
Bolsters a student’s true identity so they feel great about themselves
Eliminates morning hassles and delays for students and parents
Saves families money
Contributes to school revenues
In applying this program to public schools in the US, there needs cooperation from each county's school board. The school board must get parents involved from the beginning by explaining potential benefits for their children and for their daily lives. By getting parents involved this will potentially prepare them for the change to uniforms as well as work out any legality issues such as religious and expression freedoms. Each state and each county should have the option depending on how aprevelant the gang violence, bullying and lack of productivity rates are in their prospective school to determine whether to have a voluntary or mandatory school uniform policy. If the rates of each problem are high a mandatory uniform policy should be in place. If rates are on the lower end then a voluntary program can be placed in the school to chart its progress to see if making the uniforms permanent is the best way to prevent the problems on a long term basis. The uniforms themselves would consist of polo or button down shirts as well as khaki pants for the men and skirts or jumpers for the women. In cold weather, students would be allowed to wear sweaters that match their assigned shirt color as well additional jackets and quarter zips could be purchased if needed. The best way for the uniform policy to be accepted and enforced is if its treated as an overall safety percotional program for the school.
Like anything making such a drastic change that affects many will come with some obstacles. One obstacle to s uniform policy is the parental concern that their child's right to express themself is being violated. As well as the students themselves posing wearing the uniforms and going against code which only will hurt them when faced with repercussion and punishment. Another obstacle is the lack of studies and supporting evidence that the uniforms themselves have any change in behavior of students. Lastly the obstacle that parents may deem uniforms as an unnecessary cost for them to pay for or are unable to pay for. The average cost of school uniforms for parents is $249 at the highest. This number may seem like a lot, however the average yearly spending for clothes shopping ages 12-18 is 630$, so in actuality the parent would be saving the utmost of 400 dollars. For families who can't afford to pay in full or even at all schools have implemented programs like those of student who can’t afford lunches to those that can’t afford to pay for the uniforms. As well as most school uniform suppliers have a one year warranty guarantee on their clothing, if the uniform were to tear or rip they would replace it for free.
By adding uniforms to public schools across the US gang violence, bullying and lack productivity can be targeted and diminished. To alleviate gang violence, uniforms would be standard in color so there's no disparities between groups. Uniforms add measures of safety by obscuring gang identification markers. Group violence and theft are dissipated and children are no longer identified by their colors. “In Long Beach, CA, after two years of a district-wide mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the district's schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%”(ProCon). The equalization of providing students with the same outfits can alleviate the issue of socioeconomic and physical bullying by promoting a greater focus on individual attributes that are outside of physical appearance and body image. Although there's no correlation between students increased test scores and uniforms there's strong evidence that points to an increase in productivity and motivation. “A study of urban high schools in Ohio found that they had a positive impact on attendance, graduation rates, and rates of suspension.” (Runge). As well as a study done that student behavior in the United States, Canada and 37 other countries to determine whether uniforms affected student discipline. “The researchers found that the highest-performing students are the most disciplined. In addition, “for countries where students wear school uniforms, our study found that students listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.”(Baumann). Uniforms can serve to shift the emphasis from competition back to academic performance and personal achievement.
In conclusion school uniforms can benefit the students and the schools themselves. Implementing uniforms can curb school violence, decrease bullying as well as increase attendance and focus in students. Uniforms create a feeling of belonging and loyalty that schools may be lacking in the United States. Uniforms are one of the many steps to increasing structure, productivity and overall a safer atmosphere for students