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**School Uniformity** Porter Grant-Caroline Reece-Benton Banowsky "Do school uniforms create a setting for learning or take away from a student's right to freedom of expression?"  Schools uniforms have been a controversial topic throughout most schools in the past 20 years. Whether or not to implement a rigid uniform policy lies in the hands of the heads of these schools and the daily problems within them such as, peer pressure, violence, safety, financial hardships, and the desire to “fit in”. Recent studies have shown that by instilling uniforms, participation, attendance, and grades have improved on a major scale because students posses a greater devotion to learning. Although all of these positive views toward school uniforms may easily convince schools to join in on the success, one can argue that a required school dress exploits a student’s freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away, creating a highly contentious problem facing most schools today on deciding whether or not to require a mandatory school uniform. A rigid school uniform policy is very important to improving the overall student and the atmosphere in which they learn and eventually apply that learning to everyday life. Firstly, by supporting the idea of school uniforms, families will save money because there will be minimal equality issues over the "must haves" their children claim to need because of peer pressure or wanting to fit in amongst the other students. Dressing the same for school aids in a student's ability to not feel rejected if they come from a less fortunate background, and can't afford the latest trendy outfits. Another highly important point is a student's safety and comfort. If a school contains gangs or any other violent group, implementing uniforms will eliminate the chances of students promoting the violent group through their clothing choices, because everyone would have to wear the same thing and look similar. School required dress creates a security for kids and teens that protect them from potential violent threats and also intruders on campus, which are even more easy to spot. Another positive reason for school uniforms lies within the fact that when a student is in a rigid uniform, their grades, attendance, and participation improve tremendously. Uniforms also put the student in the mindset to learn and create a positive environment in which the student wants to learn, rather than rebelling and not paying attention. Not only does required school dress comfort a children's mind during school, provide protection, and eliminate the peer pressure to feel as if they belong, the decision to have school uniforms can lead to significant changes in the way students perform due to more concentration on academics, rather than the clothes they are wearing. Although school uniforms may be the better route to take when thinking of safety, money, and attendance, parents, students, and faculty can argue that there are just as many negatives to required school dress as there are to not. A local news station in Starkville, Mississippi covered a story in 2010 regarding the Starkville School District's decision to implement school uniforms in 2011. All grades (k-12) were effected by this decision; many students, along with their parents, were unsatisfied with these new uniform guidelines because they believed uniforms are not the only resort when thinking of grade improvement and student safety. Many parents think that the choice for the uniforms was made unfairly without an adequate census of their position on the issue. The Students, being the ones predominantly affected by the policy, largely disapprove with the School Board's ruling because of the cons it brings with it such as limiting their freedom of expression and religion. The student interviewed refutes the settlement believing that it is only covering up the more important issues of education in the district. Many school districts around the United States struggle with the same issue of whether or not to require school uniforms, just like the Starkville School District did in 2010. Another argument on the implementation of a required school dress is the high cost of school uniforms to families who rely on hand-me-down clothing or who are required to manage their money differently than spending it on expensive uniforms. Although the student may not want the most recent, trendy, and expensive clothing, uniforms can also leave many families in a financial crunch. Rules such as a rigid school uniform are more difficult to enforce than allowing students to choose their dress and usually leave the students wanting to rebel against the authority in their schools. Also, many believe that schools should celebrate diversity and character rather than stifle it by removing a child's right to individuality. Books to Read 1.) "School Uniform Movement and What it Tells Us About American Education" by David Brunsma, a comprehensive history of school uniforms in politics, debates, legalities, and overall effectiveness.   2.) "Uniforms in Public Schools: A Decade of Research and Debate" by David Brunsma, author uses experiences in teaching and in school administration to aid in understanding the issues regarding uniform policies in middle and elementary schools   3.) "The Impact of a Uniform Dress Code on Attendance, Discipline, and Academic Achievement Among Students in a   South Texas High School" by Frankie Monroe, studies the statistics on the positive effects school uniforms had on the South Texas High Schools such as attendance and achievement   4.) "The Attitudes and Perceptions of Students Toward the Wearing of Uniforms in Public High Schools"   by Michelle Burkemper, <span style="color: #01128d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">Analysis of a survey taken by students whom agreed whether or not uniforms would be a good policy to implement, the results all depended on criteria such as age, gender, and GPA   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">5.) "Dress Codes in Schools" by Jill Hamilton, <span style="color: #0f0264; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">Discusses the positive and negative arguments toward school uniforms and whether or not uniforms are legally enforceable   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">6.) "School Dress Codes: A Pro/Con Issue" by Barbara Cruz, <span style="color: #050198; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">examines the controversial debate over school uniforms with a complete impartiality   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">7.) "Symbolic Clothing in Schools: What Should Be Worn and Why" by Dianne Gereluk, <span style="color: #0306a0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">an investigation on what students should be allowed to wear regarding their opinions and whether or not uniforms would solve the impending problem   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">8.) "Teen Legal Rights" by Kathleen A. Hempelman, <span style="color: #0315ab; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">A comprehensive guide to the best information on students' legal rights and responsibilities   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">9.) "Wearing Ideology: State, Schooling, and Self-Presentation" by Brian J. McVeigh, <span style="color: #0208a1; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">examines the cultural psychology pertaining to uniforms in Japan (use as comparison to US uniform policies)   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">10.)"Undressing Religion: Commitment and Conversion from a Cross-Cultural Perspective" by Linda B. Arthur, <span style="color: #030b7c; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">asks what clothing students should be allowed to wear pertaining to their opinions in religion and support of certain groups, such as gangs

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 160%;">Terms to Know <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Uniform: Identical or consistent, as from example to example, placeto place, or moment to <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">moment without variations in detail, constant, unvarying, undeviating  <span style="background-color: initial; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Standardized: Something C <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">onsidered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of   <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">comparison, an approved model  <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">Equate: To reduce to average, to state the equality of or between something  <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">Contemporary: existing, occurring, of the present time, modern  <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">Mandatory: authoritatively ordered, obligatory, compulsory, permitting no option  <span style="background-color: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: left;">Implementation: Putting into effect, to fill out or supplement, perform, carry out

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Hyperlinks <span style="color: #e90707; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">Periodicals media type="youtube" key="0zpcBy2J7Dw" height="315" width="420" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Education Plus interviews the head of a public elementary school which recently adopted a uniform policy <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">to eliminate peer pressure, violence, and improve attendance and test scores. The school evaluates <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">the pros of school uniforms and how a rigid dress policy can greatly improve the student in many different aspects  <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">whether in elementary, middle, or high school. media type="youtube" key="gBs2dsA-C5o" height="315" width="560" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">A School in Starkville, Mississippi talks about the cons of school uniforms and how parents and students <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">think that there should be no required school dress. media type="youtube" key="FIWLDixXaZ8" height="315" width="420" <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">A school in Gainsville, FL interviews the high schoolers and ask about their outlook on a <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">mandatory school uniform for the coming year. <span style="color: #0a008f; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">As evidenced in the data present, implementing a school uniform is an important measure to take within any school and does not infringe upon a student’s constitutional right to freedom of expression. Having a rigid and highly enforced school uniform can firstly decrease the amount of violence in schools from gangs and bullying. Statistics show, from the Franklin school district, that when uniforms were first required and now 2 years later, there has been over half as many school fights on buses, in sports, and on campus. Uniforms provide a sense of safety for all students not only in violence related actions, but also from potentially dangerous predators or intruders, school hazards such as fires, and organization on school field trips. Teachers can easily spot out an intruder on campus, mainly because the intruder is not dressed the same as the students in their uniforms and also students are more easily controlled on school related trips because every pupil looks alike and therefore can find the group when they wander. School uniforms provide comfort to every student because the required dress creates an atmosphere of equality where no child feels as if they don’t belong or “fit in” amongst the others. Parents also don’t need to buy their children an excessive amount of clothing that can be very expensive, and can invest their money into their child’s education, starting solely with school uniforms. Recent studies have shown that children who wear a school uniform and are surrounded by other who look exactly the same, can take their focus off of trying to belong and put it towards learning. Grades, attendance, participation, and overall willingness to learn have improved leaps and bounds compared to school with no implemented required dress. The School uniforms put each student in the correct mindset to learn and deter many other distractions that may bridle the students’ attention. The first amendment of the United States Constitution states that every individual has the right to freedom of expression and although schools may have a mandatory uniform policy, it does not encroach on the students' rights. Students have the decision in their extracurriculars, the classes they take, the clubs they join, and the friends they choose, and uniforms don't take away any of those rights. Each pupil, no matter how they dress, is entitled to their opinions and interests and not even a school uniform can change their individuality. It’s no secret that school uniforms are the answer to many of the problems schools face today, and a rigid dress policy must be actualized to enhance a student’s ability to learn in a safe and structured environment. <span style="color: #e00007; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Works Cited <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> "Policy Debate on School Uniforms." //: Debate: Policy Debate on School Uniforms//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">"School Uniforms Debate." //ArticlesWave.com//. Opulent Technology Solutions. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Zeiger, S. "Statistics on School Uniforms." //LoveToKnowKids.com//. 2006. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Williams, Darlene. "School Uniforms: The Raging Debate by Darlene Williams."//Gate.net//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">"Debate: School Uniform." //Debatepedia//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> "Those Disgusting School Uniforms (B)." //Optionality Discussions//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">"School Uniforms; 'Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior'." // Education Week // 31 Aug. 2011: 4. // Student Resources in Context //. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> Bodine, Ann. "School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of research." // The Journal of Educational Research // 97.2 (2003): 67+. // Student Resources in Context //. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">FernAvery. "School Uniforms." //YouTube//. YouTube, 12 Sept. 2007. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">"Social Studies Model Assessment Grade 11." //Michigan-history.org//. Michigan Framework for Social Studies E. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
 * [] Talks about the cons of school uniforms and how required school dress does not encroach upon a students right to freedom of expression but instead takes away their individuality
 * [] Shows a long list of pros and cons on the implementation of school uniforms and provides a detailed analysis for each with the controversy lying within them
 * [] Provides information on how important school uniforms are such as safety, equality, and participation
 * [] Analyzes the mental and physical effects that school uniforms has on the students and many other links to related topics and observation-related facts from other teachers
 * [] Looks at the different stances both students and parents have on required school dress
 * [|http://debatevideoblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/debate-policy-debate-on-school-uniforms_31.htm] Video Debate on the pros and cons of school uniforms
 * Dressed for Succes? Do School Uniforms Make a Difference? [[file:Dress For Success?.webarchive]]
 * Uniforms Are Not a Cure for School's Ills [[file:Uniforms, cure to schools Ill's.webarchive]]
 * Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Sustenance Abuse, and Academic Achievements [[file:Effect uniforms.webarchive]]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">"The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us about American Education: A Symbolic Crusade." //Amazon.com: The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us about American Education: A Symbolic Crusade: David L. Brunsma: Books//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">"Uniforms in Public Schools: A Decade of Research and Debate."//Amazon.com: Uniforms in Public Schools: A Decade of Research and Debate (9781578863075): David L. Brunsma: Books//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> "Daily Record." //Daily Record: Empowering the Community//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> "Secondary School Student Stock Photos and Images." //Secondary School Student Stock Photo Images. 4255 Secondary School Student Royalty Free Pictures and Photos.// Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> "School Uniforms." //Zakta Guide//. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Rkofamily. "Starkville Schools Uniforms, WCBI." //YouTube//. YouTube, 17 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;">Weedot0129. "Buchholz High School Students Voice Opinions about Uniforms."//YouTube//. YouTube, 16 June 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">McCarthy, Colman. "Uniforms not a cure for schools' ills." // National Catholic Reporter // 29 Mar. 1996: 22. // Student Resources in Context //. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Brunsma, David L., and Kerry A. Rockquemore.<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> "Effects of student uniforms on attendance, behavior problems, substance abuse, and academic achievements." // The Journal of Educational Research // 92.1 (1998): 53+<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">. // Student Resources in Context //. Web. 26 Mar. 2012.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 160%;">Authors

My name is Porter Grant and I have lived in Texas for almost 2 years. I spent 15 years of mylife in Jacksonville, Florida and I am currently a junior at Highland Park. I'm greatly involved my school and I'm very dedicated in Cross Country and Track&Field. My name is Caroline Reece, born and raised in Texas, I have lived in Highland Park most of my life with my family. Now a junior in high school at Highland Park, I participate in clubs and work hard to reach my goals. Outside of school I like to exercise and hang out with friends. I'm Benton Banowsky, I was born in Dallas and have lived in Texas all my life. I am currently a Junior at Highland Park High School. I also play lacrosse and participate in many clubs. When I'm not in school, I enjoy hanging out with my friends.