| |
School Uniforms - Some Background About The Industry
The introduction of school uniforms for public schools into the national
debate is not a new subject.
Parochial and private schools have a long history of using school uniforms
(look-alike clothes) to project an atmosphere of uniformity, pride, loyalty,
and equality among the student population.
There has always been an image of professionalism associated with having
students participate in a school uniform program. It provides for a more
businesslike approach to learning, removing some of the distractions normally
confronted when children face the dilemma of possessing the latest designer
fashions, or the latest fad sweeping the nation at any given time.
School uniforms also tend to involve students more, to make them a part
of a "team" at the school. This is not so much as to erase their
individuality, but to include everyone on the same level as far as image
and dress is concerned.
Another important factor in the use of school uniforms has been cost.
With fashions constantly changing from year to year, and season to season,
parents have always felt the pressure (from their children) to provide them
with the latest peer-pleasing designs. Uniforms reduce the cost of keeping
up since they remain the same - day after day, year after year. And their
cost, in relation to fashion merchandise, is very appealing over the long
term.
The use of uniforms at school, as opposed to the latest fashions, also
may help the child avoid ridicule, embarrassment, or abuse from others over
the 'have and have-not' stigma. Uniforms assist in avoiding such conflicts
by removing the chance for confrontation over clothing, at least during
the child's at-school time.
The debate will continue, but based on the long and proven history of
school uniforms in the private school sector, the positive academic-related
results associated with school uniform programs, and the successful launch
of mandatory uniform programs in public schools across the country, the
trend seems to be developing and gaining support from all parties involved
- students, parents, administrators, and the public.
Why School Uniforms ... and Why Now?
The subject of implementing the use of school uniforms into public schools
has been circulating for years, gaining momentum during the late 1980's
and increasing steadily throughout the early 1990's.
The movement has received several boosts in the last year or two, the
biggest being President Clinton's endorsement of the use of school uniforms
during his State of the Union address in January of 1996. Concerning student
safety, he said: "If it means teenagers will stop killing each other
over de-signer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require
students to wear school uniforms." He has since touted the idea during
speeches around the country, emphasizing that "we must get violence
out of our schools, and we must put discipline and learning back in our
schools". Support also came through a voice vote from the National
Association of Secondary School Principals during their national conference
in February, 1996.
As part of his efforts, the Department of Education distributed
a manual to all of the nation's 16,000 school districts with suggestions
on how to make school uniforms mandatory and reviews of several 'model'
programs currently in place in our public schools.
| REASONS FOR: |
Through January
of 1996, seven states have passed laws allowing public schools to implement
uniform policies. Several more states are currently considering such laws,
and numerous local school districts have instituted their own policies.
This nationwide effort of implementing school uniforms is rooted in strategies
being developed to assist in restoring order to unruly classrooms, to foster
more adherence to discipline, improve self-esteem among the student population,
and invoke a higher feeling of school pride. As one professor put it, "It's
not the wearing of the uniform as much as the shared vision and commitment
to making the school a better place". |
- reduce peer pressure (competition)
- increase school pride
- gear focus more to learning
- assist in discipline problems
- create a more work-like atmosphere
- less distractions
- expense
|
| REASONS AGAINST: |
- freedom of expression
- inhibits individuality
|
There have been several successful programs implemented during the
past few years, with the Long Beach, California program being by far the
most widely reviewed and written about. Began in the fall of 1994, the program
requires uniforms for 70,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grades.
With a 98% compliance rate, results during their first years have proven
the dramatic effect a successful school uniform policy can have on a school
system. The first year alone they saw a 43% reduction in suspensions, 54%
fewer fights, a 70% reduction in substance abuse, over 20% fewer cases of
weapons possession and robbery, and an over 50% reduction in reports of
battery against employees. Other school systems nationwide likewise report
similar changes in statistics. And while those improvements cannot be linked
entirely to the use of school uniforms, they are none the less part of a
growing trend seen as school uniforms and other policies are enforced.
What makes a successful program? The chart at right states several of
the key factors associated with the introduction and implementation of a
school uniform program. One of the main factors that needs to be stressed
over and over is communication - between the system, the teachers, the parents
and the students.
As public schools delve more into the school uniform process, the debate
will increase as to whether they are productive or passive when related
to the actual learning capabilities of the student.
| COMPONENTS OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS: |
- choosing the style of the garments should involve parents, students,
teachers, administration
- garments must be affordable and easily available in all sizes
- the program must address and provide for seasonal options
- the program must be mandatory system wide, yet allow for special exemptions
(limited)
- a recycling program is helpful - garments are sold / traded to others
- Based on our experience, we believe the following factors need to be
considered when establishing a school uniform policy:
|
Children's
World's personal comments on school uniform programs....
 |
Based on our experience, we believe the
following factors need to be considered when establishing a school uniform
policy: |
- the program will work best if it is mandatory
- it is better to begin the program in lower grades (K-5) first and let
the policy grow with the students into the higher grades
- you should deal with a uniform retailer that knows the business - mainly
due to the need to outfit every student regardless of their size; and not
just the core sizes that 60% of students would wear and which some discount
and department stores strive to sell
- if school uniform policy is in effect in the U.S.A, it should be supplied
by American-made products, not by large volume chains delivering imported
merchandise
|
 |
This information submitted by: CHILDREN'S WORLD, of
St.John Parish
Serving the River Parish area since 1975 |
|
|
Back to our Parish's Home Page
