Educational Benefits of School Uniforms

Many educational and psychological professionals have debated which particular features of a school environment are most conducive to enhance the quality of the education and maximize the performance levels of the students. During the 1990s, many schools in the United States began developing and implementing school uniform policies that required students to wear one identical uniform outfit during school hours. The successful results that the uniform policies yielded for the schools accompanied with former President Clinton advocating for uniform policies caused several different cities and school districts around the country to also adopt the school uniform requirements. As a result, the establishment of school uniform policies has been steadily increasing since the 1990s. School administrators assert significant differences that distinguish school uniforms from dress codes, for whereas dress codes simply prohibit students from wearing certain types of clothing outfits, school uniform codes instead require that all students wear the exact same outfits. Although some opponents have filed lawsuits to argue that the policies violate the 1st Amendment rights of the students, the US Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the policies do not violate the rights of the students and that schools have the ability to require school uniforms. Schools should establish uniform requirements because the uniforms provide the important benefits of preventing discrimination among the children, enhancing the safety of the campus, and improving the performance levels of the students.

A significant advantage for schools that require school uniforms is that the uniforms help to prevent discrimination from developing among the students. Because many classrooms consist of different students with diverse backgrounds and unique personalities, children often experience intense peer pressure and social anxiety disorder regarding the difficult decision of selecting clothing outfits that can help them fit in and earn respect from their peers. As a result, many bullies target certain victims based on the clothing that they wear and the attitudes that the outfits express. However, research studies conducted by the Boston Globe indicate that school uniforms reduce bullying by providing a situation in which “there is less of a chance of a bully making fun of someone…because everyone is wearing the same thing” (Sweeney). Thus, the uniform requirements that ensure each student wears the same clothing outfits eliminates kids from forming hostile judgments of other kids based on clothing choices and reduces bullying by preventing students from picking on others because of the clothing they wear or the attitudes that the clothing expresses. Additionally, by alleviating instances of discrimination the school uniforms can also enhance the solidarity of the students. While the distinct contrasts between how different kids dress can cause a detrimental sense of division and animosity to develop between students, universal school uniform requirements can instead connect and unify the students. The Boston Globe asserts that uniform policies “help with school spirit by showing we’re all in this together…There’s camaraderie. That’s why athletic teams wear the same shirt” (Sweeney). The school uniform policies boost school spirit because the identical uniforms that all kids must wear establishes a perception of equality among all students, enhances the sense of camaraderie and unity throughout the school, and facilitates the development of stronger relationships between the students. Thus, school uniforms can prevent discrimination, minimize bullying as a part of an anti-bullying strategy, enhance the solidarity among students, and generate a positive atmosphere within the school.

Another benefit of school uniform policies is that the positive atmosphere facilitated by school uniforms also increases campus safety. According to a study conducted by the Ohio State University that compared uniform schools with non-uniform schools, “schools without the uniforms had more occurrences of violence, disruptions of class, repeated violations of school rules, and gross insubordination than the schools with the uniforms” (DeLong). Therefore, school uniforms reduce the amount of violent transgressions and campus violations that the schools experience. Furthermore, kids who attend schools with dangerous atmospheres generally have difficulty generating enthusiasm for school and concentrating on the classroom information. Because schools that enforce school uniform policies experience less violence on the campus, the uniforms can provide a more safe and secure atmosphere and a more favorable educational environment for the students. A report submitted by Keith King maintained that “youths who feel safe, secure and free from threats of violence perform better academically” (King). Thus, school uniforms can reduce the instances of deviant behavior on campus, reduce crime rates in the neighborhood, and establish a safe atmosphere that is conducive for a positive attitude among the students and an effective educational environment for the school.

The safe and positive school atmosphere established by mandatory uniforms also increases the performance levels of the students who attend the schools. The Ohio State University report determined that “there was an increase in scores for tests in the schools with uniforms…Results of the test indicate that the increase in proficiency scores for the Citizenship, Reading, Math and Science tests were significant” (DeLong). The higher test scores are achieved in uniform schools because the camaraderie among students and the safe atmosphere of the schools allows students to experience better concentration levels and a more comprehensive understanding of course material, which enables the students to demonstrate higher performance levels and to earn higher scores on tests. Studies also indicate that schools with uniform policies experience higher student attendance rates than other schools who refrain from implementing school uniform policies. For instance, a research study reported by 19 Action News in Cleveland demonstrated that “public schools showed students who were required to wear uniforms had improved attendance rates…by approximately 3.5 percent” (Draa). The higher attendance rates discourage absenteeism because wearing the uniforms helps the students mentally anticipate the school experience, prepare for the educational environment of the school, and embrace the everyday experience of attending the school. Additionally, many research studies also indicate that school uniforms typically increase high school graduation rates among the applicable school districts, as the uniforms enhance the positive attitudes of the students regarding the school, improve academic performance levels and increase attendance rates (Sanchez, Yoxsimer and Hill). The graduation rates are very important, for graduating high school allows the students to attend college and acquire the advanced knowledge and superior skills required to become great at a craft, utilize their skills to improve the conditions of society, and ascertain prestigious and high-paying positions of employment. Thus, school uniforms can maximize the efficaciousness of the schools and stimulate students to thrive with successful futures by enhancing classroom concentration, improving attendance percentages, and increasing graduation rates.

Opponents who disapprove of school uniform requirements often contend that the policies deprive the students from freedom of expression and individuality. According to a research study that was reported by Mark Vopat and that focused on the implementation of new school uniform requirements, opponents argue that “the new [school uniform] policy constituted an unjust infringement of their child’s freedom of expression” (Vopat). For instance, students tend to use clothing outfits to express their personality traits and attitude preferences, such as the music they listen to, the sports teams they support, subcultures to which they belong or the clothing lines that they favor. The inability to convey such values causes school uniform opponents to condemn the uniforms for restricting free expression and individuality among the student population. However, this claim is problematic and flawed because many research studies demonstrate that students who attend schools that require school uniforms tend to assert that they still possess their individuality and do not perceive that the uniform requirements deprive them of free expression. Vopat asserts that “since the majority of children at the age specified by the policy fall on the interest side of the rights spectrum, restricting their liberty with respect to dress is not morally problematic” (Vopat). Thus, school uniforms do not diminish free expression or individuality because the students can still display their unique personality, express their opinions about various subjects, and proudly maintain their unique values and attitudes.

Providing an effective educational experience for students is a crucial obligation of society, for an effective education can empower students to fulfill their potential of greatness, achieve enormous financial success, and perform important skills that can adorn the quality of life among American citizens. Although the US trend of school uniform policies originated in the 1990s, the significant benefits regarding the effects of school uniforms have caused an abundance of states and school districts to implement uniform policies during the recent decades. Schools should establish school uniform requirements because the uniforms can maximize the educational experience by preventing divisive discrimination conflicts from arising between students, by increasing the safe and comfortable atmosphere of the campus, and by enhancing the performance and achievement levels of the students.

Works Cited

DeLong, Kelly. "The Effect of School Uniforms on Academic Performance and Behavioral Offenses." The Ohio State University. N.p., 2 May 1998. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/rws_etd/document/get/osu1153354717/inline

Draa, Virginia . "Study says school uniforms might help attendance, graduation rates - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports." 19 Action News. N.p., 1 July 2006. http://www.19actionnews.com/story/4356460/study-says-school-uniforms-might-help-attendance-graduation-rates

King, Keith A. "Should School Uniforms be Mandated in Elementary Schools?" Journal of School Health 68.1 (1998): 32-37.

Sanchez, Jafeth E., Andrew Yoxsimer, and George C. Hill. "Uniforms in the Middle School: Student Opinions, Discipline Data, and School Police Data." Journal of School Violence 11.4 (2012): 345-356.

Sweeney, Emily. "More public schools try out student uniforms." The Boston Globe. N.p., 20 Feb. 2014. http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2014/02/20/uniforms-for-public-school-students-the-debate-continues-they-become-more-popular/btIYoFLoizOkFpXrdEUScK/story.html

Vopat, Mark C. "Mandatory School Uniforms and Freedom of Expression, Ethics and Education." Ethics and Education 5.3 (2010): 203-215. tandofnline.com.