SCHOOL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PROVEN TO INCREASE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Marylou Tousignant, Staff Writer, The Washington Post, March 01, 1996, Pg. A01, HEADLINE: Trying Uniforms on for Size; Policy Fad May Not Fix Schools // acs-VT2000
What`s more, it`s still unproved to many that having Johnny wear a tie to school, and Susie a plaid skirt, will help them learn better. And critics of uniforms point out that most policies have been adopted at the elementary school level, which is not where the serious problems of violence and gang activity have flared. In fact, when uniforms were tried at Forestville High School in Prince George`s a few years ago, ``the kids rebelled,`` said guidance counselor Cecilia Smith, because ``it was going to take their individuality away.``
THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT DRESS CODES REDUCE VIOLENCE OR INCREASE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Amy Mitchell Wilson, Spring, 1998; Brigham Young University Education and Law Journal, Article: Public School Dress Codes: The Constitutional Debate // acs-VT2000
Although dress codes are increasing in popularity throughout the United States, educators do not uniformly agree upon the benefits produced by these regulations. There is no certainty that dress codes reduce school violence or improve academic achievement. Furthermore, strict dress codes, which school officials justify because they are aimed at preventing gang violence, have been adopted in several areas that do not have gang problems, undermining some school official`s justifications.
NO STRONG EVIDENCE THAT SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICIES SUCCEED
Amy Mitchell Wilson, Spring, 1998; Brigham Young University Education and Law Journal, Article: Public School Dress Codes: The Constitutional Debate // acs-VT2000
The arguments of uniform opponents are well summarized in a ``Point of View`` comment found on the Internet, written by Loren Siegel:
Are uniforms a good idea? The most concise response to this question is, nobody knows. The superintendent of the Long Beach School District claims that the district`s self-generated data showing decreases in certain forms of student misconduct is proof that uniforms work. But other steps to improve student behavior, like increasing the number of teachers patrolling the hallways during class changes, were also taken by the district around the same time the uniform policy was introduced. Without further study, it is impossible to say with any certainty that uniforms were responsible for the changes. The fact is that there are no empirical studies that show that uniforms consistently produce positive changes in student behavior over the long run.
NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF SCHOOL UNIFORM ADVANTAGES, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Dena M. Sarke, February, 1998, Boston University Law Review NOTE: COED NAKED CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: THE BENEFITS AND HARMS OF UNIFORM DRESS REQUIREMENTS IN AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS //acs-VT2000
Student uniforms are not a panacea for all school-related problems, however. Critics of uniform programs point out the lack of statistical evidence substantiating the proposed benefits. See, e.g., Alvez, supra note 2, at 9 (asserting that no empirical evidence exists showing that dress codes inhibit school gang activity); Modzeleski, supra note 7, at 417 (conceding that evidence supporting school uniforms is ``anecdotal``).
SCHOOL UNIFORMS ARE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE FOR MANY REASONS
Marylou Tousignant, Staff Writer, The Washington Post, March 01, 1996, Pg. A01, HEADLINE: Trying Uniforms on for Size; Policy Fad May Not Fix Schools // acs-VT2000
Uniform critics, though, say the superficial sameness glosses over deeply rooted social and academic problems, while opening the door to endless litigation over opt-out provisions, parental and student rights, and, indeed, even the fairness of such programs for families that cannot afford to buy uniforms.
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