School Uniforms
By Kendall Cole
June 2014 AED/200 - CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN AMERICAN EDUCATION

Instructor: Christine Duhamel
University of Phoenix

Since the late 1990's school uniforms have been worn in mostly urban school districts across America. Initially, they were opposed by stakeholders, especially the students. School uniforms were accused of stripping students of their creative expression. After a while, uniforms were tolerated, it was realized that wearing uniforms helped to create a positive learning environment. “School uniforms are being advocated for a range of social, educational and familial issues” (Bodine, 2003, p. 67). There are so many issues students have to deal with when they attend school. Some of these issues create negativity in the student’s educational career. Stakeholders must come up with ways to help make learning environments and experiences more positive. Wearing school uniforms will help to create a positive learning environment.
Since the turn of the new millennium, school uniforms have become common place and a trend in large school districts across America. In 1996, former President Bill Clinton mentioned school uniforms in his State of the Union Address (DeCosta, 2006 p. 49). Former President Clinton said, " And if it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, than our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms" (Mitchell,1996). Children have so many issues they are dealing with on a daily basis, so sometimes when they get to school, it is hard to focus on the work. These factors may have nothing to do with school. They may have problems at home. They may have physical or mental issues they are dealing with. Hey may be more focused on the day to day activities going on around them as they travel to school, gangs and drug dealers. This would definitely take precedence over school, safety first! They may just not be motivated and excited about school because of prior experiences. Although, wearing a school uniform cannot correct all of these issues, it does make it one less thing a parent and student has to focus on. Clinton signed an executive order on school uniforms. In the same year, the United States Department of Education released a manual promoting school uniforms. (McGloin 2009). He instructed manuals be distributed to the nation’s 16,000 school districts advising them on how they can legally enforce school uniforms. The policy is, “One positive and creative way to reduce discipline problems and increase school safety” (McGloin, 2009). Since this action, large school districts have taken great interest in school uniforms. Before the mandate, private schools and Christian Schools were the facilities that mostly mandated school uniforms. Since the mandate, school all over, public, private, Religious have implemented school uniforms in their daily practices. They have done so in opes to reap the benfits that wearing uniforms have claimed.
There are many people who oppose mandated school uniforms, but there are many more who approve and embrace the idea. According to Bodine (2003 p.67), School uniforms are an ideal solution to many school problems. School uniforms are being advocated for a range of reasons; social reasons, educational reasons, economic reasons, and/or familial reasons. She goes on to state that school uniforms create a homogeniality and harmony in student populations. Proponents of school uniforms believe they will lessen or eliminate negative school behaviors. There can be no effecive teaching and learning if the educator is engulfed in trying to manage the discipline or non-educational issues that are occuring. Majority of the time will be spent trying to get the class in order so that a lesson can be taught. Proponents have argued that wearing uniforms will help with this. DeCosta (2006, p. 50), states that school uniforms will decrease school violence and gang activity. Gang members will not be able to wear their gang colors. They will cut down on students teasing one another. She also states that school uniforms will decrease student absenteeism. Over the years, the school uniform policy has been embraced by the large, small, under privileged and privileged communities, but in the beginning of its reign, it was being advocated in the larger and more under privileged districts. Waking in the morning getting ready for school should not be a daunting task, however when you live in a neighborhood riddled with gangs, it could be. Wearing the wrong colors, in the wrong neighborhood could be a matter of safety. So, the students have to be very mindful of the clothing they wear, as not to represent the gang in their neighborhood or an opposing gang. Wearing a school uniform would take this burden away. Even though the uniform may be the color of the gang, the gang members clearly know that the student is not trying to represent anything. They are clear that the student is just wearing his school uniform. Teasing is also a huge issue in schools. Children who may not be as privileged as others in a materialistic stand point may be targeted for not wearing the “best of the best”. They may not be able to afford the latest brand names. Wearing a school uniform puts everyone on the same playing field. Everyone has on the same shirt, pants and if the schools mandate, type of shoe. The student can now go to school with yet another less thing to worry about. With these elements non-existent, students can concentrate more on their studies. “Outside of the classroom, uniforms relieve the consumer pressure on lower-income students to have the best brand of shoe in order to keep up with their wealthier counterparts” (Bodine, 2003). Not only is wearing school uniforms a solution to school issues, it will also teach a life lesson. If left to choose what they wear, a student will rarely choose the more practical or professional outfit. They have to keep up and get the approval of their peers. It does not matter what the adult says, during those formative and developmental years, our peers are our biggest critics and we take heed o their opinions, approvals and mostly the disapprovals. It is not until later in life when forced to do so that the student will learn to dress appropriately. Wearing a school uniform will help to condition them for what they may face in the “real world” as they look for jobs. It is not appropriate to wear jeans, gym shoes and t-shirts to your place of employment. School is a job, so the student employees should dress as such “Students who learn to dress appropriately in school also can do so in professional settings, such as offices” (McClatchy, 2013).
As with everything there are two sides to the story. So on the other side, the opponents of school uniforms claim there is no connection between wearing school uniforms and creating a positive school climate or student achievement. According to Bodine (2003), their greatest argument is that wearing school uniforms restrict students from exercising their self-expression. It is during the pre-teen and teenage years that a young adult begins to find themselves. They are learning to express themselves as an individual and becoming proud of the person they are developing into. Wearing a school uniform will stifle this development. School uniforms will force the students to look like everyone else. They will not have the opportunity to explore them and express themselves through their dress, which is a prominent way in which we do express who we are.
It is another argument they have is that wearing uniforms violate their First Amendment right to free speech. Although clothing is not a verbal form of speech, it is a form of expression or speech. Clothing expresses the indivuas style and help to set a sense of indiviuality. It may be argued that wearing a uniform takes this individuality away. The first Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech…” In order to confirm if wearing school uniforms are a violation, The Supreme Court must examine several factors. Mitchell and Knechtle (2003, p. 490), list the factors as follows: the type of speech. Are school uniforms a pure speech or symbolic speech? “In defining symbolic speech, the courts generally apply a two-pronged test: (a) was there an intent to convey a particular message and (b) was there a great likelihood that the message would be understood by those who viewed it“(Mitchell and Knechtle, 2003, p. 490). What type of restriction is wearing uniforms? Content-based and content-neutral. There are two restrictions that need to be met to determine if symbolic speech is protected by the First Amendment. “Content-based regulations involve the elimination of a specific conduct by prohibiting the expression of one viewpoint and Content-neutral regulations are those that prohibit speech to avoid negative behavior unconnected to the content of the speech. Content-neutral regulations often interfere with speech by regulating the time, place, and manner of speech” (Mitchell and Knecthle, 2003, p. 491). What is the surrounding context around this mandate? Lastly, the courts must take in consideration the O’Brien Analysis. Mitchell and Knechtle (2003) define the O’Brien Analysis as a Supreme Court ruling in the Supreme Court in the United States v. O’Brien in 1968, where the court described a four pronged test to determine whether a content-neutral governmental invasion of the right to free expression violates the First Amendment. O’Brien publically burned his selective services registration certificate in protest of the war. After being convicted, he argued that his First Amendment Right was violated because his act represented symbolic speech (p. 490). In light of this case the Supreme Court uses these prongs to ensure that all people’s rights are up held under symbolic speech. After taking all into consideration, The Supreme Courts found that wearing uniforms was not a violation of the students First Amendment rights. Wearing uniforms does not take away from who the person is and doing so is more about safety than fashion! They further stated “…states have the power to control the conduct of students. Therefore, many states insist that the implementation of the school uniform policies and the need for student safety outweighs public school students' rights to select school dress” (Mitchell and Knecthle, 2003 p. 493).
Despite the arguments against wearing school uniforms, there are many studies that support the concept. Brunsama and Rockqulmore conducted a study. Their study showed there was a “positive correlation between school uniforms and academic achievement” and that “uniformed students have significantly higher test scores” (Bodine 2003 p. 69). According to Bodine (2003), there are many claims that school uniforms negatively affect academic performance. However, these claims are mad by people who are not able to make an erroneous claim (p, 69). She goes on to state “researchers cannot prevent the finding from being misconstrued. (Bodine 2003, p 69). Uniforms are beneficial to all stakeholders.
Another study conducted focused on the parents, administrators, students and their perception of school uniforms. The study was done in Mississippi. 53% of the parents favored school uniforms and 63% of the parents said yes to mandating them in schools. According to DeCosta (2006), school officials stated they witnessed better student attitudes and fewer discipline problems…grades and attendance are going up." Students are also in favor of wearing school uniforms. The student survey revealed that students both agreed and disagreed with the teachers and administrators. They did agree that wearing uniforms may lessen discipline problems and gang related activities decreased, there are less teasing and bullying among the students and he overall school climate was more positive (p. 71). Those that opposed said that heir originality would be taken away, but it was suggested that the students take ownership of the policy. This would be a win-win situation. DeCosta (2006) suggests, as school administrators continue to consider uniform policies for public high schools, a student-centered approach seems most viable. Preliminary suggestions include: Involving students in the decision-making process regarding whether uniforms would be a useful and desirable adoption. Allowing students to co-design their uniforms. Sanction a range of alternative uniform styles, and allow for additional flexibility in dress and ensure that the policy is enforced equitably across demographic categories. (p. 58).
Parents want to feel confident that when they send their children to school they will be safe and protected. They don’t want their children to have to worry about being bullied, teased, or fell pressured or worried that the colors they are wearing are gang affiliated. Students do not want to worry about these things either. Their worries should consist of what’s being served for lunch, or what they got on their test, or how they are going to finish all their homework before their favorite show comes on television. It is the responsibility of the stakeholders to provide students with a learning environment that is conducive to positive learning, wearing uniforms help to accomplish this. The transition to such a successful policy is possible, although it does demand mutual respect, patience, and creativity.

References
DaCosta, K. (2006). Dress code blues: An exploration of urban students' reactions to a public high school uniform policy. The Journal of Negro Education, 75(1), 49-59. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com
Bodine, A. (2003). School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of research. The Journal of Educational Research, 97(2), 67-71. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com

Mitchell, H. W., & Knechtle, J. C. (2003). Uniforms in public schools and the first amendment: A constitutional analysis. Journal of Negro Education, 72(4), 487-494. doi:http://dx.doi.org

McGloin, A. (2009). The effects of school uniforms on school climate in elementary school .48.Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com