School Uniforms

The Return of School Uniforms

In this article Jessica Porton discusses the mandatory uniform policy adopted by the Long Beach, California school district. Since the policy went into effect, Porton states, “The number of assaults, fights, and suspensions have dropped dramatically” (1996, p 124).

In 1994, Long Beach School systems were the first school district in the nation to require elementary and middle school students to dress in uniform fashion (Porton, 1996 p 124). Mr. Clinton discussed this issue in his state of the Union Address, in 1996. He challenged other public schools to convert to school uniforms as if it was the answer to stop teenage violence (Porton, 1996, p 124).

In the same way, Jessica Porton feels that uniforms reduce certain behaviors. If everyone is dressed in uniform they are in the right frame of mind to learn. Students are not worried about who is wearing what item of clothing or the name brand, and the store it came from. They are all dressed alike and have more time to focus on education. Older children who are interested in or are a part of a gang tend to claim certain colors to represent their gang. By ordering all students to wear the same colors, it takes the focus off those who might be wearing gang related colors not knowingly. This then can reduce the risk of violence and possibly save someone’s life. Uniforms also make it easier for school officials to locate and identify school intruders who are not dressed in uniform.

From the year before uniforms were required, 1993-94, to 1995, assault and battery cases in grades k-8 have dropped 34 percent. Physical fights have dropped by 51 percent, and there were 32 percent fewer suspensions (Porton, 1996, p 125). However, some parents are complaining that required uniforms cost too much money. Parents from low income families feel it is not fair they should have to be