Dressed For Success Jamie Pickering Jason Malloy was your typical seventeen year old high school student. He was an avid athlete who played on his school’s football and baseball teams. He loved his friends and was very popular among his student body. His family came from a nice Chicago suburb neighborhood with a sound community surrounding. In 1994 Jason was looking forward to graduating from highschool and playing baseball for a local community college. His life was cut tragically short when he was shot to death on his own school grounds. The motive? The sixteen year old assailant (and fellow class mate) wanted Jason’s black Nike Air jacket (Cohn 37). A similar situation occurred in the suburbs of Detroit in 1996. While leaving highschool basketball practice, eighteen year old Darren was beaten and then shot to death. The motive this time? The assailant ran off with Darren’s basketball shoes that retailed for about $125.00, and his blue T-shirt. After the assailant was arrested, he admitted he was part of a gang and "needed the clothes". Darren was his highschool’s basketball star since his freshman year, and had recently signed a contract to play college basketball (Cohn 38). Imagine you are a parent, relative, teacher or friend of Jason or Darren. Does it worry you that the children in your life could be victimized on their own school grounds for the clothes they are wearing? Do you think that Jason and Darren might still be alive had they been in the same school uniform as their class mate assailants? As a way to prevent senseless, violent acts on today’s students, public schools should consider implementing school uniforms into their requirements for students. School uniforms help decrease the amount of gang paraphanalia, thus reducing the growth of adolescent gangs. Uniforms act as an aid in reducing violence. "Kids are less likely to be accosted and robbed and perhaps even shot for expensive apparel or jewelry. Uniforms subtly decrease the influence of gangs whose members have set themselves apart by their distinctive garments. Uniforms also help identify outsiders, who sometimes appear at school to stir up trouble" (Forbes 2). Gangs are a rapidly growing problem in our country and heavily affect school age children. If public schools used uniforms, gang members would no longer be able to wear and promote their specific colors and logos. If everyone at school was dressed the same, there would be no wrong colors or items of clothing. Long Beach police chief William Ellis agrees uniforms have given schools "fewer reasons to call the police. There is less conflict among students. Students concentrate more on education, not on who’s wearing $100.00 shoes or gang attire" (Wexler 3). Some people may think that uniforms should only be for teenage students rather than elementary students. Older students are more subject to gangs, fashion competition, and self expression. However, uniforms in the lower grades have added positive ordinances to many schools who require them. Naomi Gittins, a staff attorney at the National School Boards Association said "Elementary age uniforms help control classroom behavior and keep children focused on learning" (Muto B11). For many public schools, uniforms are not anything new. From small towns and communities to the nation’s largest cities, uniforms in public schools have become so common, that they are hardly the exception, but the rule. In Miami, 196 of the 328 public schools require uniforms, Cleveland has 2/3 of it’s schools in uniform, Chicago has 90% of it’s schools in uniform, and Boston has over 50% of its’ students in uniform (Lewin 3). In a 1996 press release, President Clinton spoke his opinion on uniforms in school. His words are as follows: "Most schools are safe. But we must have zero tolerance for threats to safety in our schools. It is time to make every school the safest place in its community. Parents should be able to send their children to learn free of fear. All of our schools should be permitted to focus on their original purpose: education. Many school districts have made school uniforms an important part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline. Too often, we learn that students resort to violence and theft simply to obtain designer clothes or fancy sneakers. Too often, we learn that clothing items worn at school, bearing special colors or insignias, are used to identify gang membership or instill fear among students and teachers alike. If uniforms can help deter school violence, promote discipline, and foster a better learning environment, then we should offer our stern support to the schools and parents that try them. We should applaud parents, teachers, and school leaders when they take courageous action to make our schools safe and free of gangs, drugs, and violence" (Clinton 1). It is also hard to ignore the following statistics reported by a district in Long Beach California. Their view on uniforms is that student and school morale is up, crime is down, and kids can concentrate on learning instead of self-protection. After they adopted a school uniform policy for its’ 58,500 students in 1994, the number of crimes dropped tremendously from the previous year (Stacey 1). Their statistics are as follows:
In addition, Long Beach school attendance rates and test scores are up and the overall crime rate has plunged 36 percent. These statistics prove that uniforms are obviously a key ingredient to the improvement in our schools. Nothing else thus far has been noted to improve these statistics better than uniforms (Wexler 1). Some people argue that uniforms are unconstitutional. There is a belief that uniforms take away a student’s freedom of expression. Some may be concerned that uniforms might hamper a student’s self expression through dress. Students should express themselves through their art, writing, music, sports, and other subjects that they study in school. On page 1 of his article on school uniforms, Malcom Forbes says, "The case for uniforms is overwhelming: they are democratic. Regardless of back ground, no youngster should stand out because of his or her clothes. Uniforms help sharpen kids’ focus on the task at hand – school work. Too many students spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about what they should wear. Uniforms underscore that the purpose of school is learning, not making fashion statements." If self expression through dress is important to students, they have hours after school and weekends when they are able to wear whatever they please, expressing their choice in fashion. Leslee Henson, a parent and a school teacher in New York, believes that "Uniforms in my school would be great. I find that the students should put on their "work" clothes when they go to school, and when they came home they may put on their "play" clothes. This will help them be prepared to learn how to dress once they hit the work force" (Marshall 1). Another important aspect of every student’s life is self-esteem. As early as elementary school, popularity becomes an ever prevailing part of life. Children become consumed with who is cool, what’s "in", and what the cool clothes are to be wearing. Most often, popularity comes from image, and a popular image is not always cheap. Most kids want to feel cool and accepted by wearing the expensive name brands, which unfortunately contribute to popularity. School uniforms help eliminate any discrimination stemming form the kind of clothing kids can or cannot afford. Uniforms reinforce a valuable principle: "Judge people not by their appearances, but by their characters" (Forbes 1). Uniforms help lesson competition between students’ images by creating an equal appearance for everyone. In their effort to eliminate fashion competition, some school districts not only dictate colors, but forbid clothing with visible labels or logos. "The whole point is to have the children be equal, not to divide the haves and the have nots," said Dr. Joe Haynes, the superintendent of schools in Greenville, Missouri (Lewin 1). This year Dr. Haynes expanded his district’s policy to cover all students and ban all labels. "Some principals said labels might signify things, and we wanted to avoid any possibility of gang problems, of some group of kids deciding to buy the same brand, and thinking the little thing on their shirt represents something" (Lewin 1). Parents with children in uniforms benefit greatly. When preparing a child for a new school year, parents, on average, purchase four new pair of pants, five to six new shirts, and two pairs of shoes. Parents would save dramatically if they only had to purchase two or three pair of uniform pants, three shirts, and one pair of shoes for school. The average school uniform consists of khaki pants and a collared shirt for boys in a specific color, and a skirt or khaki pants and collared shirt for girls. Most schools who require uniforms make sure that their uniforms are of durable, long-lasting fabric. This cuts down on the care and replacement of their children’s clothes. Parents would not have to worry about their kids having the expensive name brands that are so popular (Lewin 1). Blair Nicholls, a parent with a child in uniform, said, "Purchasing clothing for school uniforms in inexpensive. I have shopped around. The major department stores such as Target, Mervyns, J.C. Penny’s, and Macy’s all carry uniform clothing for children. The prices range from $3.00 to $8.99 for polo shirts, and about $6.00 to $15.00 for pants, walking shorts, and skirts. The prices are very low throughout most stores at all times during the year" (Nicholls 5). We live in a society where most children have both parents in the workforce. Because of families’ hectic schedules, especially in the morning rush, uniforms help simplify. Parents with children in uniform have found that uniforms make it much easier to get the family ready for the day each morning. The rush to get ready is much simpler each day. There is no fuss over what to wear. Uniforms serve as a great equalizer, limiting the competition between children. Also, because most uniforms generally require the same articles: khakis, polo shirts, walking shorts, and/or skirts, and basic color schemes such as red, white, and navy, finding these clothes is much simpler than hunting down a certain desired name brand shirt or designer jeans. They don’t have to worry about their kids having the expensive name brands that are so popular. For those parents who can’t afford to purchase uniforms, they need not worry. Most schools offer help. Long Beach, for example, runs a "boutique", funded by private donors, where students can get uniforms, shoes, a backpack and toiletries, at no cost (Lewin 1). It is obvious that uniforms are a tremendous benefit to parents. They save both money and time. Of course, there are parents who are not in favor of school uniforms, In that case, there are options for the parents. For example, under California law, parents can request an exemption from school uniforms. However, in the past two years, less than 1% of parents requested their child not wear a uniform. A recent study conducted in Long Beach showed more than 80% of their community supported uniform use. In Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 494 gives all public school districts the option to create and enforce a school uniforms policy with parents’ consent (Lewin 1). Under current law and regulations, public schools may institute dress code policies, but may not require students to wear uniforms. Schools may only provide students with the option of wearing school uniforms. The Senate noted that their proposal would allow a school to require its’ students to wear uniforms, if and only if, the school board elected to approve a uniforms policy. Ten states currently have laws similar to this in place. The United States Department of Education has issued recommended school uniform guidelines to each of the nation’s 16,000 school districts (Friel 2). For those with children in a school districts that do not require uniforms, and would like to introduce the idea, there are many steps that can be taken to do so. It may seem so overwhelming to try to get such a large policy instated in a district, but it is actually pretty simple. Mary Bate, a member of a California school board, gives some suggestions to parents interested in having their children in uniform. She suggest writing letters to your local Senate, Board of Education, teachers, principles, PTA members, and school administrators. Community petitions, and simply raising the community’s awareness is a huge step in itself. You may be surprised by your success (Jenkinson 3, 4). A recent survey of 100 students ages eight to sixteen, and their parents, in a non-uniform Utah school district gave the following positive statistics:
James Rhoades, a member of the Senate Education Committee reinforces the parents’ involvement. In a current press release Rhodes said, "If the parents and officials in a school district believe that a school uniforms policy will benefit their students and improve the educational environment, then the state should provide that school district with the authority to enforce the policy. This is a decision that is best made locally" (Rhodes 2). Nadine Strosson, president of the American Civil Liberties Union also gives encouragement to uniform supporters. "Throughout society, there is a popular support for any measure that sounds like it supports greater law and order, even if there’s no evidence that it actually has any effect. I don’t think politicians really believe in school uniforms, but they do it to get kudos, to be seen as taking action without costing the taxpayers money. And while we do get some complaints, lots of people shrug their shoulders, thinking it may not do any good, but it won’t do much harm, either" (Lewin 1). There is also concern over the student’s obedience to adhering to the uniform policy. Children could be encouraged by parents to wear their uniforms each day without discontent by offering some type of reward. Dan Jenkins, a father of two girls who are required to wear uniforms to school, rewards each daughter by adding an extra dollar to their allowances if they don’t complain about their uniform throughout the week (Lewin 3). Schools could also offer incentives for their students to wear their uniforms properly by offering an occasional casual day or "theme days" where the students can wear an alternative to their uniforms. School officials can also implement a discipline program that effects the student’s citizenship grade or participation in extra curricular activities. If a student violates the uniform standard a certain amount of times, they may have to forfeit their right to participate in sports or assemblies for a certain number of days. It is obvious that the notion of school uniforms has swept the nation, and has been widely accepted. Research and statistics have proven that if uniforms have helped the dramatic decrease of gangs and violence, as well as promoting a more disciplined and unified atmosphere in some to the commonwealth’s public schools. Parents and school administrators across the nation support the idea, and have found was to keep parents’ options open, provide in-expensive uniforms, and provide uniforms for the needy. They do not see uniforms as a motive for the country to hamper student’s creativity and expression, but rather a way to create a safe, equal learning atmosphere, and encourage expression through school work. Parents, teachers, administrators, and adults need to recognize that gangs, violence, competition, and self esteem are real issues. Issues that effect our children and we need to do everything we can to help them. Giving a city a police force doesn’t ensure the city that there will be no crime. But it does protect the people and cut down on the amount of crime that would otherwise take place. This is like uniforms. They won’t rid the schools of violence, gangs, competition and discrimination. But judging by the statistics, we cannot ignore the fact that uniforms protect our children against these elements. U.S. Senators and more importantly, the President of the United States are in favor of school uniforms. Their goal is to continually improve our nation. If they believe uniforms to be such an important factor in students’ education, then more parents, teachers, students, and administrators should definitely open their eyes to the importance of school uniforms.
Works Cited 1. Clinton, William J. "Manual on School Uniforms". 1996. On-line. Internet. White House Press Release. Available: Http://inet.ed.gov/PressRelease/02-1996/shpr26.html. 2. Cohn, Carl A. "Should Students Wear Uniforms?" Learning Magazine. September 1996. Volume 25, Issue 2: 37-38. 3. Forbes, Malcom S. "A Uniformly Good Idea". Forbes Magazine. 10 October 1994: 27. 4. Friel, Alan L. "The Administration’s Uninformed Approach to School Uniforms". The Washington Post. 20 February 1996: 2. 5. Jenkinson, Michael. "School Uniforms in an Atomistic Age". Alberta/Western Report. 7 November 1994, Volume 21 Issue 47: 3-4. 6. Lewin, Tamar. "Dress for Success: Public School Uniforms". The New York Times. 25 September 1997: 1,3.
8. Nicholls, Blair. "Why Consider Uniforms?" 1997. On-line. Internet. Available: Http://magicstart.com/foothilloaks/uniforms.htm. 9. Rhodes, James. "Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee Approves School Uniform Bill". 1997. On-Line. Internet. Company Press Release. Available: http://biz.yahoo.com.prnews/97/10/06/y0009_y00_6.html.
Annotated Bibliograhy
1. Braud, Rich. "Standards of Behavior and Discipline are Needed Most". 1996. On-line. Available: Http://www.summit96.ibm.com/Script...read/net.Thread. This article is an open discussion forum on the Web where parents and students can speak their opinions on school uniforms. 2. Clinton, William J. "Manual on School Uniforms". 1996. On-line. Internet. White House Press Release. Available: Http://inet.ed.gov/PressRelease/02-1996/shpr26.html. This memorandum is a press release stating President Clinton’s opinion on uniforms in school. It is a speech given by the president, in favor of uniforms. 3. Cohn, Carl A. "Should Students Wear Uniforms?" Learning Magazine. September 1996. Volume 25, Issue 2: 37-38. This article presents both sides of the uniform issue involving schools in the United States. 4. Evans, Dennis. "School Uniforms: An Unfashionable Dissent". Phi Delta Kappan. 10 October 1996. Volume 78, Issue 2: 139. This article criticizes proposals to use school uniforms in American public schools. He gives his rather pessimistic view on the idea. 5. Forbes, Malcom S. "A Uniformly Good Idea". Forbes Magazine. 10 October 1994: 27 This article gives persuasion to school districts to follow the Long Beach school district that requires school uniforms. 6. Friel, Alan L. "The Administration’s Uninformed Approach to School Uniforms". The Washington Post. 20 February 1996: 2. This article gives information on Supreme Court and the constitutionality of school uniforms. 7. Jenkinson, Michael. "School Uniforms in an Atomistic Age". Alberta/Western Report. 7 November 1994, Volume 21 Issue 47: 3-4. This article discusses the benefits of school uniforms in elementary school and the specifics of what it takes to get a uniform policy instated. 8. Mancini, Gail. "Dressing for Success or Conformity?" Education Digest. December 1997. Volume 63, Issue 4: 62. This presents and article concerning school uniforms in the Unites States and their effectiveness to reduce economic competition among students. 9. Lewin, Tamar. "Dress for Success: Public School Uniforms". The New York Times. 25 September 1997: 1,3. Tamar Lewin gives many statistics in her article about the cities that are currently requiring uniforms, and the support of the society surrounding the cities. 10. Mitchell, Alison. "President Acts on School Attire." The New York Times. 25 February 1996: A1. This article reports on the facts stated by President Clinton in his 1996 Press Release and pamphlet on school uniforms. 11. Muto, Sheila. "Student Uniforms Pay Off". The New York Times. 20 September 1995: B11. This article reports the benefits of having school uniforms after following several schools in the New York area where the uniforms are required. 12. Nicholls, Blair. "Why Consider Uniforms?" 1997. On-line. Internet. Available: Http://magicstart.com/foothilloaks/uniforms.htm. Ms. Nicholls gives her opinion on uniforms in this open forum discussion web site. She gives the approximates of what uniforms cost. 13. Pickering, Denise. Personal Interview. 4 April 1998. Springville Utah. Her interview gives a parental approach and opinion to her children possibly having to wear school uniforms. She discusses the positives and the negatives. 14. Rhodes, James. "Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee Approves School Uniform Bill". 1997. On-Line. Internet. Company Press Release. Available: http://biz.yahoo.com.prnews/97/10/06/y0009_y00_6.html. This is a company press release listing all of the specifics of the Pennsylvania School Uniform Bill. 15. Stacey, Julie. "Uniforms". USA Today. 9 September 1996: 1-2. This article lists all of the Long Beach crime statistics and the dramatic decrease in crime after school uniforms came into the picture. |