Wingert, P. (1999, October 4). "Uniforms rule". Newsweek, pp. 72-73.
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OVERVIEW

Kiara Newsome’s spotless navy jumper and demure white blouse won’t win raves on the runways. But to school reformers, the 6-year-old is a real trendsetter. This fall, Kiara and her classmates at P.S. 15 on Manhattan’s Lower East side joined…students in the nation’s largest school system, and donned uniforms for the first time.

Over the past few years, more and more schools have been implementing dress codes and uniform programs. Since the April 1999 Littleton, Colorado shooting, scores of schools are now opting for dress codes. The motives for the programs are many, but essentially, the hope is that school uniforms will offer an inexpensive, easy way to improve school safety.

This is truly a nationwide trend, as most of the schools in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Houston, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C. are now sporting dress codes. Many suburbs are also considering and attempting such programs.

Proponents maintain that dress codes eliminate the oversized, loose "gang-inspired" look that facilitates students’ attempts to sneak guns, drugs, and other forbidden items onto school premises. Additionally, with school uniforms, it becomes easier to identify intruders. For many parents, the prescribed wardrobe provides financial relief. School uniforms are generally less expensive than stocking a full school wardrobe. And it eliminates many headaches that school administrators suffer when kids don questionable cloaks to school.

Skeptics suggest that "clothing gives teachers insights into what’s happening with individual students." If there is a significant change in a student’s wardrobe, it could signal a problem to school staff. Others are concerned that dress codes could stifle a young person’s creativity.

Researchers note that very little research indicates that uniforms "improve students’ behavior or academic success." However, some studies do suggest that dress codes improve students’ perceptions of the school and that students in uniforms may feel more unified. A cohesive atmosphere is significant, because, according to Keith King of Cincinnati University, " ‘the No. 1 protective factor against school violence is having a student feel connected to his school and that he fits in.’ "

A handful of lawsuits have challenged schools right to restrict the freedom of choosing one’s own clothes. However, courts have ruled that students in school don’t have the same rights as they do outside school, and that dress codes do not violate freedom of expression "if there is a valid educational reason for imposing them." Most schools also provide uniforms to those who can’t afford them and allow parents, for religious reasons, to abstain from the dress codes.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you notice a difference between students who go to schools with dress codes and those who go to schools without restrictions? What are the differences?
2. What do you personally think about school uniforms?
3. What reasons might you agree or disagree with such codes?
4. Do you believe that uniforms can reduce school violence? What else can eliminate school violence?
5. How do kids in your group respond to dress codes? Is there a difference in perspective between those who already abide by codes and those who have not yet had such programs implemented?
6. As a parent, what are or what would be your thoughts about dress codes?

IMPLICATIONS

• It is likely that the trends of dress codes will continue to grow in popularity.
• Time will tell if uniforms do reduce violence in schools.
• Youth workers and parents should discuss dress codes with kids. Let them vent any frustrations. Help them understand the benefits of uniforms while empathizing with their concerns.
• Allow kids alternative options for creativity aside of choosing their own school clothes.
• Work to establish and support additional efforts to eliminate school violence and enhance the educational environment.

Kathryn Q. Powers cCYS