For this lesson we had to read articles and watch videos over school uniforms. We had to answer questions over the material that was required for us and give our opinion on whether we agree with the idea of school uniforms or not.
EDUC 2110 – Lesson 7 – Current Fundamental Issues – School Uniforms
Evaluation
What is a school uniform? Describe.
A school uniform is a uniform worn by students across the nation, either in public or private school systems. Schools that require school uniforms, everyone is dressed identical to the other. Girls usually wear a skirt, or pants, a button up or collared shirt tucked in, with knee high socks, and the required shoe. Boys usually wear the majority of the time, khaki pants, a button up or collared shirt tucked in, most of the time, a tie, and then the required shoe. I based this information based off of many pictures I have seen of students wearing school uniforms.
What are the potential benefits of having school uniforms?
Because school uniforms make everyone identical based on clothing, a school that requires uniforms have seen a decrease in violence over expensive clothing, less classroom distractions, and an improvement in behavior and attitude towards learning. Another benefit about having school uniforms is that the administrators, teachers, or staff can see who belongs on school campus and who does not, just by looking at their clothing. Schools who require school uniforms have also stated that the school spirit has improved.
What are the potential problems with having school uniforms?
During the “good old days” students in schools wore uniforms, and Alfie Khon believes that with schools trying to bring back school uniforms, they’re also trying to bring back the good old days. The good old days were symbolized by obedience and you don’t see much of that in kids now days in schools. Khon thinks that if we want children to take action for their responsibilities, then we have to give them responsibilities. Like clothing. Instead of giving students clothing and saying “wear this”, why not discuss the problems of their everyday clothes and discuss with them why it is okay and why it isn’t okay. This is more effective in the long run. Also, an argument overlooked is how kids don’t learn as well in an environment where they are excluded from decision making. Khon states that more complex problems won’t just disappear if we tell students what to wear.
How can you get parents and students to buy-in to the idea of school uniforms?
If I were to have to get parents and students to buy-in to the idea of school uniforms, I would bring up money. Money is always a good subject to bring up to with parents. If there were school uniforms, parents wouldn’t have to spend endless amounts of money on new school clothes each year because their child would already have the exact outfit that they need for the next year. Even if a child did outgrow their uniform, it costs way less to buy another uniform than it does a whole wardrobe it seems like. For students, I would try to explain the drag in the mornings to find your clothes to put on, finding the right socks for your outfit, the right shoes, a pair of pants and a shirt that coordinate well together. This is a struggle for students in the mornings because it’s really early and the majority of them try to dress well for their peers. Having school uniforms would save students time in the mornings, and would give them extra time to sleep in, instead of having all that time trying to pick out what to wear in the mornings and trying to look cuter than the next person that walks through the school doors. (This doesn’t happen with everyone, but it is known to happen in some schools.)
What does the Supreme Court have to say on this issue?
In the Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School (1969), the court said a student’s freedom to express himself or herself must be protected unless it interfered with the appropriate form of discipline. Students are still protected under Tinker but with an increase in school violence and gang related activities, the Supreme Court has decided to return the decisions back to the school boards.
http://712educators.about.com/cs/schoolviolence/a/uniforms_2.htm
Are school uniforms truly effective?
Although not all schools who have tried school uniforms have seen the same results as the other, uniforms are overall great and have helped in some type of manner. Even if it’s just a small change in behavior or school grades, it’s still a change and it makes a difference.
Based on your research, provide at least two interesting statistics, additional advantages or disadvantages, or viewpoints that are NOT described in the articles that accompany this lesson.
One thing that I read from http://occupytheory.org/pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms-statistics/ is how school uniforms can get expensive when a parent has more than one child in the school system. Not many people think of uniforms to be expensive, but with parents who can barely afford regular clothes are expected to spend money on clothes that the child probably doesn’t even want. Another disadvantage is how students can be a target to get picked on from other students who attend another school who isn’t required to wear uniforms.
Something I found interesting would have to be how the schools that require uniforms have high expectations for their students and want them to achieve, and to do their best.
Summary
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the whole students wearing uniforms thing. Yes, I have to say, there are some definite pros with students wearing uniforms according to results, but there’s also cons to go with those pros. Everything I have found in this lesson was interesting, but I haven’t made a clear decision on whether I like the whole idea or not.
Research Question
Do the clothes students wear really affect their schooling?
Reference: http://www.livestrong.com/article/248103-how-do-the-clothes-kids-wear-affect-how-they-learn/
Research Analysis
In this article it first starts off with how people say that clothing really can’t affect someone’s learning, but then a saying goes “the clothes make a man”. Schools who require students to wear uniforms, are basically saying that they are putting academics before fashion. Although, uniforms don’t let students express their individuality, all students, both poor and wealthy, are all equal when it comes to dressing.
Safety is also another topic when it comes to school uniforms. School uniforms fit a certain way, so when students attend a school that require uniforms, faculty and other administrators can tell when it doesn’t fit properly. This decreases violence, such as weapons and hiding other illegal objects in clothes. Also, outsiders are easily recognized when students wear uniforms to school.
Expectations is another thing. Schools who let students get away with inappropriate clothing on are not expecting as much from their students than schools who do not let students get away with much. Schools that require students to wear uniforms have set high expectations for their students and want them to achieve.
Also, attendance and temperature. Schools who require their students to wear school uniforms, their attendance has increased because students aren’t breaking the dress code and being sent home for the day. When designing a dress code, school uniform, for students, the administrators have to think about what’s comfortable for the students. They want their students to be as comfortable as possible when learning.
Research Summary
After reading this article about school uniforms, it seems as they are a good idea for schools to bring in uniforms if they haven’t, but also, I believe that students would grow tired of wearing the same outfit every day. Yes, there are definite pros to having students wear uniforms, but I can also see from the students’ perspective too of why it wouldn’t be a great idea. Overall, this article has got me thinking about whether or not I would want my students wearing school uniforms.