1. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
Submitted By: Lauren Simone Mead

2. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
School Uniforms and Dress Codes have been a “Hot Topic” of discussion within the United States school system for a very long time.
This topic is one that has pros as well as cons.
This topic has been debated by teachers, parents, and politicians.
There has been a lot of research on the effects of uniforms within the school system.
Rather for or against school uniforms & dress codes, they are and will be a constant debate in our school system.

3. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
A school uniform is a set of standardized clothes worn primarily for an educational institution.
Boys' uniforms often consist of dark short or long trousers and a light-colored shirt, often with a tie.
Girls' uniforms vary greatly between countries and schooling systems, but typically consist of a dress or a blouse worn either with a skirt or under a pinafore; some countries allow girls to wear trousers. The use of a blazer or suit-like jacket for either gender is also fairly common, especially in countries with relatively cold weather.
The Methodology of uniforms stems from the Catholic faith in which Great Britain is known for.
School Uniforms where enforced in Europe in the early 18th century, which worked for the same reasons that the U.S. thought to use this method to obtain structure within the school system.

4. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
A school dress code is a published, formalized listing of clothes that ARE and ARE NOT allowed to be worn by any student during school hours.
For example, on the allowed list for girls might be skirts & dresses of a certain length or longer in any color, dress slacks or pantsuits of any fabric except denim, etc. While not allowed might be crop tops, low slung jeans, flip flops, etc.
For boys might be dress slacks, khakis & cords, along with dress & polo shirts. What is not allowed might be shorts, sagging trousers, T-shirts with vulgar logos, flip flops, etc.
Examples of dress codes can be:
Making sure your shirts (including t-shirts) are tucked in.
Shorts/skirts must be mid-thigh or longer.
Shoes must be safe and appropriate.
Clothes must be appropriate size, with waist of garment worn at student's waist.

5. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes

6. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
Some pros that national board of education and researchers agree on are that school uniforms helps with
Gang Prevention
Encourages Discipline
Helps some students with Peer Pressure of trying to “fit” in with trendy clothes.
Identifying intruders in the school
Breaking the social and economic barriers between students

7. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
•A dress code encourages students to express their individuality through personality and academic achievements, not outward appearances
•A dress code puts the focus on academics, not fashion, because they project a neat, serious, businesslike image
•Schools with dress codes have fewer discipline problems because students aren't distracted
Violations of a Proper School Dress Code
Violates a reasonable dress code adopted and publicized by the school;
Substantially disruptive attire
Provocative or obscene
Endangers the health or safety of the student or others.
Examples of prohibited dress or appearance include, but are not limited to: Exposed undergarments; sagging pants;
Excessively short or tight garments; bare midriff shirts; strapless or spaghetti strap shirts; attire with messages or
Illustrations that are indecent or vulgar or that advertise products or services that are not permitted by law to
Minors; head coverings of any kind; see-through clothing; attire that exposes cleavage; any adornment, such as
Chains or spikes, that reasonably could be perceived as or used as a weapon; and any symbols, styles or attire
Frequently associated with intimidation, violence, or violent groups.

8. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
Former President Bill Clinton addressed the issue of school uniforms in his 1996 State of the Union address stating that “If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer clothes jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”
Professor David Brunsma came up with a different conclusion after reviewing past studies on the effect of uniforms on academic performance. He concluded that there was no positive correlation between uniforms and school safety or academic achievement.
There has been plenty research on the effects of school uniforms and dress codes within the school system. Rather good or bad the studies never reveal a definite winner.
There are several pros and cons with school uniforms and or dress codes but none “count” if there is not a clear understanding that there is a difference between uniforms & dress codes.
This is why school uniforms and school dress codes will continue to be a hot topic within the United States school system.

9. Cont. School Uniforms & Dress Codes
References Brunsma. David, 2004 The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us About American Education: A Symbolic Crusade,. Rowman & Littlefield Education Cruz. Barbara C. 2001, School Dress Codes: A Pro/Con Issue, Enslow Publishers, Great Schools Inc., 1-3 Unknown, 2005, History of School Uniforms, HBCSU, 1. Unknown. 2013, School Uniforms and Dress Codes, Schoolzone 1-3.