Here are some articles on school uniforms that have been published by Education Week in the past.This is not a popular subject with the Department of Education. It's not a comfort zone with many parents.
My personal opinion revolves around the idea that school life should be comfortable, simple, and functional. Tight, droopy, revealing, expensive, and ridiculous are not comfortable, simple, and functional.
Having begun four schools in my life, I can only say, a uniform is a tool. I use uniforms as a safety element in keeping track of children when going on field trips. I use uniform swim suits at our public pool; uniform shirts on sojourns out of town and to populated places; and a general uniform combination for hot summer days. Shirts must have sleeves, shorts must be knee length or shorter.
Long baggy bloomers on boys prevent play. Boys can't climb a slide when the crotch of the pants is below the knee. Party dresses on girls prevent play as well. Heavy jeans on boys or girls prevent the possibilities of swimming at the spur of the moment. Sun sleeves incur sunburns. string tops cause "peeking." Sandals with buckles means the pea gravel hurts.
Translate all this into the teen world, and you have the clothes wearing the child. I always told my children that when the first thing people saw was what they were wearing and not their smiling face, it was a shame.
To many ridiculous parents, the clothes make the child. We had a teacher once who was a label reader and a snob. Snobbery comes from ignorance and stupidity. Her children were the most unhappy children I have ever met. Many people who have truly "made it" actually cut the tags out of their clothes.
A uniform can be simple: Whole jeans and crews that cover. Done.
Despite conventional wisdom and anecdotal tales touting the benefits of student uniforms, researchers see little evidence of their effectiveness. January 11, 2005 – Education Week
Many schools across the country are tightening their dress codes, with the skin-is-in female fashions inspired by teen idols like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez attracting special attention. September 12, 2001 – Education Week
A recent call by French President Jacques Chirac for a law prohibiting French public school children from wearing conspicuous religious symbols has placed the issue of public schools and religious expression on an international stage. January 7, 2004 – Education Week
Ruling upholds Las Vegas district's policy of letting each school decide whether it will require students to wear uniforms. Updated: May 8, 2010 – Education Week
Commentary
Dress Codes and Social Chaos When it comes to student dress, writes John Northrop, schools need to set some limits on individualism. January 16, 2002 – Education Week
Researcher David Brunsma gives the public school uniform craze a dressing down. April 15, 2005 – Teacher Magazine
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