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One of my school uniforms, I am wearing a navy, pleated skirt with a hemline no shorter than 10cm above my knees.

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My lens in this school policy was strongly influenced by the fact that I was educated in a country in which school uniforms were the norm. I wore a uniform every day from K through 12. I distinctly remember hating it and finding any way I could to fudge the rules. Looking back now, I would not change it. Weird, I know, but wearing a uniform gave me an identity and pride in my school, it reduced stress on me and my parents around buying and wearing outfits, and it did help me stay more focused. Sometimes when I got home from school, I would leave my uniform on to do my homework for that very reason. I also come from a country that does not value freedom of speech to the same degree as here in the US, and we do not consider our clothes as a method of expression with the same intensity either.
I do not know which side of the uniform debate I agree with most, on the one hand, as an adult, I do see the benefits for school officials, parents and even sometimes to the students, of school uniforms. Especially after the huge debate over my 5-year-old wanting to wear her flowergirl dress to school. On the other hand, I know children in the US would hate wearing a uniform as much as I did, probably more so as Americans value their freedom of speech so much. I also think that there are problems with uniforms and religious expression as they typically would not allow things like a hijab.

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This article from Thoughco is a good starting place for understanding the debate on a school uniform policy. Both sides of the argument are listed and additional information about a supreme court ruling which impacted dress code and uniform polies is provided at the bottom. However, it is slightly biased towards the pro side. The article includes information about parent and student support for uniforms but does not include information about those who do not support it.

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They come in soft yellow polo shirts. They come in white blouses. They come in plaid skirts or jumpers. They come in pleated pants, navy or khaki. They are all made of durable fabric. They come in all sizes. They are school uniforms. And despite their name, uniform, which means "remaining the same in all cases and at all times," school uniforms can still look different from one student to another.

Over the past twenty years, school uniforms have become a big business. In a 2019 study, the National Center for Education Statistics found that during the school year 2015-2016, approximately 21% of the public schools in the United States required uniforms.﻿﻿ That same school year, annual school-uniform sales (including parochial, private, and public schools) totaled an estimated $1 billion.﻿﻿

School Uniforms Defined

Uniforms used at schools can range from the formal to the informal. Some schools that have implemented them have chosen what one usually thinks of in connection to private or parochial schools: nice trousers and white shirts for boys, jumpers and white shirts for girls. However, most public schools are turning to something more casual and more acceptable to parents and students: khakis or jeans and knit shirts of varying colors. The latter appears to be more affordable too because they can be used outside of school. Many school districts that have implemented uniforms have provided some sort of financial assistance for families that can not afford the extra expense.

Pros of School Uniforms

"Uniform of a soldier and uniform of a student both are equally needed for the nation."
― Amit Kalantri, (author) Wealth of Words​

Some of the reason offered to support school uniforms are the following:

Preventing gang colors, etc. in schools

Decreasing violence and theft because of clothing and shoes

Instilling discipline among students

Reducing need for administrators and teachers to be 'clothes police' (for example, determining whether shorts are too short, etc.)

Reducing distractions for students

Instilling a sense of community

Helping schools recognize those who do not belong on campus

The arguments for school uniforms hinge on their effectiveness in practice. Anecdotal information from administrators in schools that have implemented uniform policies point to the fact that they do have a positive effect on discipline and the school. Note that all of the following were from middle schools.

The first public school in the nation to require K-8 school uniforms was Long Beach Unified School District, 1994.﻿﻿ In 1999, officials found that criminal incidents at the district's schools had decreased 86%.﻿﻿ Test scores and grades rose and absenteeism, failures and discipline problems declined. However, administrators point out that uniforms were only one of several reforms made, along with class size reduction, core courses, and standards-based pedagogy.

More recently, a 2012 study found that after a year of having a uniform policy at a middle school in Nevada, school police data showed a 63% decrease in police log reports.﻿﻿ In Seattle, Washington, which has a mandatory policy with an opt-out, school administrators saw a decrease in truancy and tardies. They had also not had a reported incident of theft.﻿﻿

As a final example from Baltimore, Maryland, Rhonda Thompson, an official from a middle school that has a voluntary policy noticed a "sense of seriousness about work." Whether any of these results can be directly linked to school uniforms is hard to say. However, it can be said that something has changed to make the officials take notice. We can not discount the coincidence of school uniforms with these changes either. If you would like more information about schools that have implemented uniform policies, see the Department of Education's Manual on School Uniforms.

Cons of School Uniforms

"[On school uniforms] Don't these schools do enough damage making all these kids think alike, now they have to make them look alike too?" -George Carlin, comedian

Some of the arguments made against uniforms include:

Students and parents argue that uniforms violate their freedom of expression.

Some students might choose to express their individuality through other means such as body piercing which is harder to regulate.

Parents raise concerns about the cost.

Because uniforms single out students as being from one school, this might lead to trouble with students from other schools.

Families fear it might interfere with religious clothing like yarmulkes.

A new policy for school uniforms can be time-consuming and difficult to enforce.

There are concerns that uniforms are often associated with low-income, urban school settings. The Institute of Educational Science National Center for Educational Statistics noted that in 2013-14:﻿﻿

A higher percentage of schools where 76 percent or more of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch required school uniforms than did schools where lower percentages of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Other concerns have been raised by David L. Brunsma, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He analyzed data from schools nationwide, and published research with co-author, Kerry Ann Rockquemore that concluded that 10th-grade public school students who wore uniforms did no better than those who did not in attendance, behavior, or drug use.﻿﻿

Conclusion

The effectiveness of uniforms will be a subject of continuing research as more schools look for solutions to socio-economic problems of attendance, discipline, bullying, student motivation, family engagement, or economic need. And while a school uniform may be only a small part of the solution for all of these ills, they do solve one major issue, the dress code violation. As Principal Rudolph Saunders explained to Education Week (1/12/2005) that before school uniforms, "I would spend 60 to 90 minutes a day on dress-code violations."﻿﻿

Of course, there are always those students who will try to alter a uniform for individuality. Skirts can be rolled up, pants can be dropped below the waist, and (inappropriate?) messages on T-shirts can still be read through issued button-down shirts. In short, there is no guarantee that student wearing a school uniform will always meet the dress code standard.

Supreme Court Rulings

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School (1969), the court said that a student's freedom of expression in school must be protected unless it would seriously interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline. In the dissenting opinion written by Justice Hugo Black, he said, "If the time has come when pupils of state-supported schools ... can defy and flout orders of school officials to keep their minds on their own schoolwork, it is the beginning of a new revolutionary era of permissiveness in this country fostered by the judiciary."

Students are still protected under Tinker. However, with an increase in school violence and gang-related activities, the political climate seems to have turned more conservative, and the Supreme Court has begun to return many decisions back to the discretion of the local school board. The issue of school uniforms itself, however, has not yet been dealt with by the Supreme Court.

Schools must educate students in a safe environment. Over time, education has often slipped away as the main focus of schools. As we have unfortunately seen, school safety is such an enormous issue that it is hard to come up with policies that truly work without turning a school into a prison camp. After the mass shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 where students were singled out partially for what they wore, and after numerous thefts and murders over designer shoes, it is obvious why many school districts want to institute uniforms. We must realize that learning cannot take place without some sense of decorum and discipline. Possibly instituting school uniforms might help bring back that sense of decorum and allow teachers to do what they are hired to do: teach.

Parent and Student Support for Uniforms

Many schools have in fact made the choice to have students wear school uniforms. Until the Supreme Court rules otherwise, this is entirely up to the school district. However, they do still have to follow state and federal anti-discrimination laws when they make their polices.Following are some ideas to make the use of uniforms easier to accept by students and parents:

Make uniforms more casual - jeans and a knit shirt

Allow students an outlet for their own expression: buttons to support political candidates, but not gang related paraphernalia

Provide financial assistance to those parents who can not afford the uniforms

Accommodate students religious beliefs. This is required by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Make your program voluntary if community pressure is too large

Institute an 'opt-out' provision. Not including this would probably cause a court to rule against your program unless there is proof that lesser measures are ineffective.

Make uniforms an integral part of the school safety program.

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School Uniforms: What Are the Pros and Cons?

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What are the pros and cons of school uniforms? The debate about their effectiveness continues to rage with parents, students, and teachers.

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On the Pro side, arguments from a Prep School.

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On the Pro side, arguments from a Prep School.

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This short blog from a school that has a uniform policy tries to explain their reasoning, providing an opportunity to try on a school official lens. As potential teachers, it is worth considering how a uniform could possibly enhance learning whilst also saving time dealing with issues around a vague dress code policy. Their points about safety and community I tend to agree with from my own experiences with wearing a uniform. During field trips, it is most certainly easier to spot children in uniforms allowing teachers to keep better watch on their students and also gives students who might get distracted and wander off a way to easily find their classmates.

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Debates continue about whether students should wear uniforms in schools; however, when you read about schools around the world, a high percentage of those surveyed support school uniforms. Many schools agree that uniforms help remove economic barriers, build feelings of community, and reduce instances of bullying.

Our APA Dress Code is founded on similar beliefs that uniforms decrease distractions, simplify the morning routine, increase respect for each student, and prepare students for success by teaching professional dress.

There are many reasons to encourage school uniforms like the ones worn at American Preparatory Academy. Here are some of them.

1. School uniforms promote learning. Our program is rigorous and requires full attention to be successful. We believe our students' focus should be on what they are learning and not on what they are wearing.

2. School uniforms nourish a sense of equality. When students have similar expectations for dress, unhealthy competitive feelings about looks are reduced. Students can stand out because of their character and not their clothes.

3. School uniforms promote a feeling of community. At APA, we believe our school dress should complement our learning culture. We are preparing our students for success in college and beyond. We want our students to have a proper expectation of professionalism. When our students wear uniforms, they feel included. They are part of a team working toward success in the classroom and life.

4. School uniforms make it easier to get ready for school. One of the best reasons for school uniforms? No more indecision about what to wear in the morning!

5. Uniforms help prevent embarrassing problems while promoting self-discipline. We have developed a standard of dress that is reliable for everyone. We want to help our kids avoid issues related to modesty and cleanliness. Dirty and unkept outfits quickly become a non-issue when there is a standard.

6. School uniforms improve safety. Keeping track of students and what they carry into our schools is made easier for staff and other students. Intruders can be identified right away by our school community because they stand out.

7. School uniforms do not eliminate individuality. Our students have fun participating in the occasional spirit wear or free dress day; however, these days are not the focus for our kids. The character of the individual student is our focus. Our kids shine because of who they are, not how they look.

8. School uniforms are more affordable. At the beginning of the school year, our families typically purchase two sets of uniforms for each of their students. Many of our uniform vendors provide durable options that stand up to repeated washing and wear. Parents may need to replace an item or two throughout the year; however, this is often due to children growing up so fast. Overall, our families save money with uniforms by not having to keep up with the latest fashion trends.

9. Parents and teachers support school uniforms. Administrators and teachers are highly in favor of school uniforms at American Preparatory Academy. Our staff manual states that our, "staff must match the level of formality of our students." Most parents say that they love the convenience of school uniforms, and they can tell that students have more confidence when they wear them.

The student dress code at American Preparatory Academy is one that helps create an environment of respect and dignity. Student dress exemplifies students' respect for themselves, their classmates, and learning. When everyone is wearing the same thing, students can focus on essential issues like academics and character.

Our school uniform guide can be viewed here.

Are you considering American Prep for your student? American Prep is an award-winning, tuition-free charter school. We are accepting applications for the new school year.

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A good school uniform policy for public, charter, and private schools can increase safety, confidence, and community in schools. This is APA's approach.

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This opinion piece from The New Yorker is written from a fathers perspective. What I found interesting was his initial argument was freedom of speech and how uniforms inhibit this.  Whilst he does mention some of the other downsides of a uniform policy, I felt like his overall argument was about giving students the right to free speech and to him that means the freedom to wear the clothes that best express one's speech.

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My daughter's school uniform, required by the public magnet middle school where she began sixth grade last week, is perfectly nice. It's not so much a single uniform as a broad wardrobe of coördinated prep-wear: skirts or pants, paired with piqué polo shirts, all in "goldenrod yellow," navy, or white, topped off by a fleece zip-up (on which the school crest is optional). For her first day, she chose the navy skirt with the white polo. As she walked to the corner to catch the bus, I was reminded of a time when our schools were orderly, our teachers respected, and our children all above average.

That was an imaginary time, of course, but nostalgia for it has helped to create the modern school-uniform movement, which has won the kind of broad-indeed, nearly uniform-support that exists for no other educational policy, or social policy, that one can think of. Although there isn't a scholarly consensus that uniforms do anything to improve student achievement or school climate, about one-fifth of all public-school students now wear them. They are one of the few interventions on which charter-school advocates and anti-charter activists agree.

Even the students have gone along, in one of the great surrenderings of liberty in modern history. For, although we think of uniforms as a reclamation of the olden days, they are relatively new in this country. Against British Commonwealth traditions, we were the free and easy New World, the country where children dressed themselves. For the most part, the appearance of students was governed only by the nagging of parents ("Get a haircut!"); informal norms (T-shirts were for athletics, not the school day); and deference to teachers and principals, who had wide discretion to tell a boy that he looked like a hoodlum, or tell a girl that her hemline was inappropriately short.

In the sixties, students fought for more autonomy in dress, to signal allegiance to a particular band or clique or general attitude toward the world. They saw dress as a mode of expression in schoolyard politics, and in world politics: in 1969, in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Supreme Court upheld high-school students' rights to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. That case was the capstone for an emerging jurisprudence of freedom-in-attire, coming after court decisions in New York and Idaho striking down bans on women wearing pants, and a decision in New Hampshire ending a ban on bluejeans. These cases helped solidify a trend toward more freedom for young people to dress how they wished. And so it was, from the nineteen-seventies into my childhood, in the nineteen-eighties.

Then Bill Clinton happened. In 1996, Clinton, running for reëlection and eager to shore up his conservative credentials, championed mandatory school uniforms "as the kind of small-bore, low-cost, common-sense policy initiative that might appeal to a broad cross-section of voters," as the legal scholars Deborah M. Ahrens and Andrew M. Siegel write, in their forthcoming paper "Reconsidering the Constitutionality of Student Dress Restrictions." Clinton plugged uniforms in his State of the Union address that year and had his Department of Education issue a manual for schools that were transitioning to require uniforms. While some schools had experimented with uniforms in the eighties and nineties, it's clear, Ahrens and Siegel argue, that "the modern enthusiasm for uniforms can be traced pretty directly to the 1996 Clinton administration initiative."

Expecting some pushback, the Department of Education issued guidelines for making the new uniform policies able to withstand lawsuits. Except the free-expression lawsuits never came. As with other policies favored by conservatives, such as law-and-order policing and mass incarceration, Clinton's support gave cover to liberals, desperate for any policies that might help the inner cities, to join the act. As one might expect, school uniforms, while growing in popularity everywhere, have really become a feature of poor schools. According to a 2016 study by the National Center for Education Statistics, school uniforms are required at fifty-three percent of schools where three-quarters of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. But, of schools where fewer than a quarter of students are so eligible, only four per cent require uniforms.

These uniforms have become a rich revenue source for kiddie-clothing companies like French Toast, which has a verbose Web site dedicated to their magical properties. One typical section makes the argument that "school uniforms bring an image of success to students and teachers." But that depends how one defines success. In Silicon Valley, on Ivy League campuses, and even in a growing number of white-shoe firms, the rule is to dress down. While once upon a time each profession had its uniform-the gray-flannel suit, the white coat-today, the most successful people wear what they want, especially in the more creative industries.

On the Web site for my daughter's school, the hyperlink "Click here for more information about student uniforms!" redirects to Lands' End. Once known for its middle-quality oxford button-downs, Lands' End has become a major player in the school-uniform game, and not by accident. It has aggressively formed partnerships with school systems, often becoming their main uniform purveyor, and it has helped fund some of the questionable research adduced to show that uniforms improve schools. In 2013, Lands' End helped pay for a survey by the National Association of Elementary School Principals that found that eighty-five per cent of principals "and other school leaders" believed that uniforms improved classroom discipline.

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Mark Oppenheimer writes about the rise in popularity of school uniforms, and whether uniform policies positively or negatively affect students.

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I find this video an interesting and humorous look at at a social experiment of wearing a school uniform. Instead of an intellectual debate it helps to show how it feels to wear a uniform. For me, because I wore a uniform throughout my education, I could identify with the girls as they struggled with the restrictiveness. It also offers an American perspective to my more Australian one.

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"I'm a cartoon character now...I wear the same thing everyday" Boldly BuzzFeedYellow has changed its name to Boldly. It's the same content you know and love just Bolder. Subscribe for daily videos about beauty, fashion, body positivity, and to join a community of incredible women working to empower and inspire each other.

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Short and curly is a podcast series designed for kids that explores ethical questions and ideas. In this particular episode they look at the uniform debate. What is interesting is the comparisons between the kids they interview in Brisbane, Australia and those in Cleveland, Oklahoma. The Aussie kids are a lot more positive about uniforms, they either like it or don't mind them. However, the kids from the US have a much stronger and negative opinion. "I hate wearing a uniform" or "Some people want to be extraordinary and wear what they want to wear.” It really shows the cultural impact of uniforms. When you grow up wearing them, you might wonder what is the point of them but not enough to question the status quo. if you grow up in a highly individualistic society, the idea of uniforms is a threat to your freedom.

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This cartoon is part of a article about the history of school uniforms. The article is very interesting and shows how the lens of the US as a collective was shaped. I found the cartoon funny because historically it seems that uniforms have created this pushback around student freedoms. However, the cartoon illustrates the tendency of students to want to look like their peers, which is kind of what a school uniform does.
The full article is here: https://school-uniforms.procon.org/history-of-school-uniforms/.