School UniformsSchool Uniforms

Zelda HamiltonZelda Hamilton

CMP 230CMP 230

October 7, 2007October 7, 2007

School UniformsSchool UniformsSchool UniformsSchool UniformsDo uniforms have an effects on Do uniforms have an effects on

the academics of students?the academics of students?

Research ShowsResearch Shows

So far, research on the effects of dress So far, research on the effects of dress codes and school-uniform policies is codes and school-uniform policies is inconclusive and mixed. No clear trends inconclusive and mixed. No clear trends have emerged. Some researchers claim have emerged. Some researchers claim positive effects, and others claim no positive effects, and others claim no effects.effects.

Why School Uniforms?Arguments for

uniforms www.naesp.org

• They reduce violence and behavioral problems.

• They foster school unity and improve the learning environment.

• They reduce social pressures and level status differentials.

• They increase student self-esteem and motivation.

• They save parents money on their children’s clothing.

• They improve attendance.

• They improve academic achievement.

Arguments against school uniforms

• Does not allow freedom of expression. If you take away a child's self expression through clothing, you force that child to express his or herself in other ways.

• Are simply a Band-Aid on the issue of school violence • Make students a target for bullies from other schools • Are a financial burden for poor families • Are an unfair additional expense for parents who pay

taxes for a free public education

• Are difficult to enforce in public schools

My personal View Because of the lack of statistical data, I feel that both sides of the uniform issue have strong points and are correct.

There is no right answer and the debate will continue on forever unless both sides agree on a mutual acceptance.

ConclusionConclusion Many educators and researchers point out that, though Many educators and researchers point out that, though

there may be declines in school violence and there may be declines in school violence and improvements in academic performance, it is difficult to improvements in academic performance, it is difficult to attribute such results to dress codes or uniform policies. attribute such results to dress codes or uniform policies. Other reforms are often enacted at the same time that Other reforms are often enacted at the same time that dress codes or uniform policies are implemented. dress codes or uniform policies are implemented. “Because no long-term empirical studies have been “Because no long-term empirical studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of school conducted to assess the effectiveness of school uniforms or specific dress codes, the results remain uniforms or specific dress codes, the results remain unproven” (Morris and Wells 2000).unproven” (Morris and Wells 2000).(This quote is sited. Click on the word many to find site)(This quote is sited. Click on the word many to find site)

Almost everyone, however, agrees that more studies Almost everyone, however, agrees that more studies are needed.are needed.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/shohttp://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/ca/361warticle/ca/361

www.naesp.orgwww.naesp.org http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/

policy_reports/dress_codes/policy_reports/dress_codes/researchfindings.htmlresearchfindings.html

http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Education/EDF600/swartz.htmEducation/EDF600/swartz.htm

http://members.tripod.com/rockqu/http://members.tripod.com/rockqu/uniform.htmuniform.htm