Mandatory school uniforms: academic and social benefits for students

¶ … mandatory school uniforms. The writer explores whether wearing school uniforms benefit the students academically and socially. There were seven sources used to complete this paper.

For many years one of the key differences between public school and private school was the fact that students in private schools had a mandatory school uniform and the students in public school wore what they wanted to school. Several years ago various public schools across the nation began to adopt mandatory school uniforms for their students. The issue of mandatory school uniforms has sparked debate across the country as students balk at being told they cannot use their clothing to express themselves during the school day, while advocates of the policies believe it removes the competition and many of the social economic barriers that students can encounter with open dress codes. With the practice of school uniforms still in its infancy for public schools there is little research into the impact mandatory uniforms have on student achievement and morale but the little that has been done indicates that mandatory school uniforms are creating a positive learning environment.

HISTORY

Long Beach California became the first school district in the nation to adopt a school uniform. It wad 1994 and the decision rippled across the country as parents, students and educators wondered what the impact would be.

When the idea was first discussed in the district the consensus was that the media, parents and the public would not allow it. The district moved forward in the decision and uniforms became mandatory that year (Cohn, 1996).

It was accomplished following the defeat of Proposition 174 regarding statewide vouchers that would provide funds for parents to put their children in private schools if they wanted to.

At that time 11of the 70 elementary schools were already using mandated uniforms with administrators reporting significant improvements in school climates.

The board moved forward with a district wide mandate (Cohn, 1996).

WHY

School uniforms have been mandated in various districts across the nation. Safety, cost and reduction of economic differences have all been noted as the driving forces behind those decisions (Cohn, 1996).

With school uniforms the problem of gang colors and clothing is virtually eliminated.

In addition the problem of students stealing high-end shoes and clothing is not a problem when everybody wears identical clothes to school (Cohn, 1996).

Students who do not want to be affiliated with a gang do not have to be concerned with making sure they or their parents choose colors that are not gang related.

Affordability

The cost factor is another element of mandatory school uniforms. Students and parents have the cost of purchasing uniforms but once that is completed their cost is over. They do not have to worry about the latest fads or the student wanting to wear designer labels.

Research concluded that the average cost per child for uniforms was significantly less than the cost of non-uniform clothing for school.

Uniforms can be obtained at local thrift stores, department stores, or uniform suppliers where families can shop for the best values (Cohn, 1996)."

While research has found that school uniforms are cost effective and provide the elimination of gang color affiliation, it was several years before the impact on academic success could be gauged.

THE OUTCOME

One study was completed in 1997 with regards to the use of school uniforms and academic achievement. Data was collected and found that there was a statistically significant improvement in test scores among students who were mandated to wear school uniforms (Bodine, 2000).

A decade of research indicating the effectiveness of private schools has led some school reformers to consider policies that are linked to private and Catholic school success. Within the Catholic school literature, school uniforms have never been acknowledged as a primary factor in producing a "Catholic school effect" (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993, pp. 286-287). Nevertheless, public school administrators are beginning to consider uniform policies to improve the overall school environment and student achievement. Because of the controversial nature of mandatory school uniform policies, those educators who advocate the proposed reform, as well as those who condemn it, are speaking out (Rockquemore, 1998). " study conducted about the enhancement that uniforms provide was conducted several years ago and found that the use of mandatory school uniforms increased school achiement.

Researchers believe that that the mandatory school uniform policy helps set the stage for better organization. In addition the research discovered that schools with mandatory uniform policies have a lowered incidence of violence and other behavior problems.

Attendance issues were also significantly reduced in schools with mandatory uniform policies (Rockquemore, 1998).

Another question regarding the benefits of student uniforms had to do with self-esteem. Student self-esteem has been linked to academic success. The research has concluded that students with high self-esteem generally perform more successfully in the school environment that students with low self-esteem do. High self-esteem provides the confidence to work to one's optimum potential and students with low self-esteem are more inclined to become behavior problems and low achievement students.

The question of impact of mandatory school uniforms on self-esteem was a question for researchers when public schools began to adopt uniform policies. It provided a backdrop for study as some schools were using mandatory uniforms while others were continuing to have open dress codes. Studies were conducted comparing the two types of dress and it was found that students who are in schools with mandatory school uniforms have an overall higher self-esteem per student than do students who are in schools without a mandatory school uniform policy.

The most cited case study with regards to school uniforms was conducted with Long Beach School District. The findings included the following (Rockquemore, 1998):

These 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. Principals and teachers tell us those students' success is taking many forms -- (fewer absences, fewer tardies, less truancy, fewer referrals to the office for behavior problems, fewer suspensions and expulsions, better grades and, in some cases, significantly higher achievement (Rockquemore, 1998)."

Another benefit of using mandatory school uniforms has to do with social control according to experts. Schools that have an open dress policy often encounter issues with students becoming divided by what they wear. Students who can afford the most expensive clothing are often found to be more popular than students who cannot afford to wear the designer labels. Students that wear the gothic apparel are often viewed as poor students and as such are sometimes not given the same opportunities that students in the "popular" crowd are given.

If one remembers the incidence at Columbine High School years ago one of the things that set the shooters apart beside the fact that they were bullied was the fact that they were well-known for wearing trench coats.

REFUTATIION

While the study did not indicate improvements in behavior and attendance it is important to note that the study was performed in a Catholic education setting, which could have had other contributing factors to the rate of behavior issues or lack of them. In the public school setting the majority of administrators report that there is in fact a significant and statistically measurable change for the better with regards to behavior issues and attendance. In addition the research has shown that there have also been improvements in test results and academic achievement.

Catholic schools are regimented in many ways so that the students are indoctrinated to comply, remain organized and achieve. It is not entirely fair to measure the results of studies regarding uniforms in public schools against the results of studies about uniforms in private schools because of the other fundamental differences that can be found between public and private schools that can skew the overall research results.

CONCLUSION

The public school system in America has been under intense pressure to make changes in the last decade. Parents want more accountability, less violence and better educations for their children. School districts nationwide have begun to adopt mandatory school uniform policies in which the students must wear uniforms to their classes. Research and anecdotal evidence indicate that students do benefit from complying with a mandatory school uniform policy. The test scores, the overall academic performance, the behavior problems and social status issues are resolved with mandatory school uniforms.

Mandatory School Uniforms.

From: School Administrator | Date: February 1, 1996 | Author: COHN, CARL A. | More results for: school uniforms benefit

From: The Journal of Educational Research | Date: November 1, 2003 | Author: Bodine, Ann | More results for: school uniforms