SCHOOL UNIFORMS: 'Students can focus on school matters instead of clothing'

I read with great interest the discussion about whether uniforms make a school better (“Do uniforms make our schools better?” Speak Out, February 2005). It is true that when I attended public school 50 years ago it didn’t make any difference at all. The worst concern I can remember is when the principal came into our eighth-grade class and made three boys put down the collars on their shirts. No one ever degraded a person if he or she did not have designer clothing. Most, if not all, students were reasonably dressed and clean, and that was all that counted.

Today, however, besides the question as to whether we should be concerned about “gang colors” and the like, students make fun of others by saying that they bought their clothes at Kmart. If everyone is required to wear a uniform (including shoes and socks) it is one less thing that students will have to degrade and embarrass each other about.

Even if Mr. Brunsma is correct about the statistics he quotes, as far as I am concerned preventing one child from not being embarrassed and belittled is enough reason to have uniforms.

—Sidney State
Oak Park, Mich.

I agree completely with Timothy Brennan when he says that some sort of a dress code can have a positive effect on school climate. Students will naturally chafe at the idea of losing some freedom. School, however, should be regarded as a special place. Let’s treat going there in that manner. A casual look translates into a casual way of working. A certain style of dress conveys a degree of seriousness.

As a teacher with more than 20 years experience, I would also like to say that I am ashamed at how many of my colleagues come dressed for work. It is hard to tell the difference between some of my younger colleagues and the students. Whatever happened to looking like a professional as well as acting like one? Perhaps if we set a better example, students might be more inclined to give up some of their personal liberties for a greater good—a better, calmer school environment.

—Burt Bloom
Bayside, N.Y.

I am only a third-year teacher, but my first year teaching was at a school without uniforms. There is a difference. At the school without uniforms (elementary) some of the students seemed like mini-models trying, and in some cases succeeding, to look like older teenagers. Some of the younger students also acted like the teenagers.

These last two years at another elementary school (uniforms required) the children dress, look and act like what they are—children. They are not trying to dress up and act like Britney Spears or the latest rappers.

The question does not need to be “Do uniforms make our schools better?” The question needs to be “Do uniforms make our students better?”

—Paul Billington
Palm City, Fla.

It was quite apparent after reading the opposing arguments on school uniforms that Mr. Brunsma is not and that Mr. Brennan is a classroom teacher. All the “supportive evidence” and “reference to recent data” are merely Mr. Brunsma’s smokescreen attempt to validate his point of view. Uniforms are not about improving academic performance as a primary goal, but as a secondary goal. They improve school climate, as evidenced by Mr. Brennan, as well as by my personal experiences.

Mr. Brunsma also uses a ridiculous perspective of the “social class” that uniforms represent. We do not consider using uniforms as a way to change the perception of a student outside the school environment, but rather inside the school environment.

The social problems are growing worse as the disparity and price of social image continue to climb. School has become far too much about free-to-be-you-and-me and not about the common purpose and common good.

—Richard Heilman
Burnsville, Minn.

In the case of school uniform policies, anecdotal evidence is far stronger than supposedly objective statistical measures when assessing whether schools show significant improvement.

In Albuquerque, N.M., school uniform policies have made a huge difference in the schools that use them. Not in state test scores, I’ll admit, but definitely in overall school safety and quality of the school environment. Since the policy was instituted at my school six years ago, the number of fights, suspensions and classroom disruptions has dropped dramatically.

In general, parents also favor the uniforms, mostly because they save money. It is far cheaper to buy a generic polo shirt than the latest rap star fashion ensemble.

When we do allow the students to have “casual” days, they usually lead to more problems than they are worth. Several girls come in wearing clothing that should make any parent blush, and many boys sport such obvious gang attire that we cannot allow them into class for fear of their lives.

With school uniform policies, teachers and students can focus on school matters instead of on clothing. I, for one, would never want my school to go back to the dreadful nonuniform days.

—Jason Krosinsky
Albuquerque, N.M.

There are pros and cons to school uniforms, but uniforms are not a major factor in improving our schools. Sure, uniforms can save money for parents on clothing costs. And yes, they can give the semblance of uniformity within the school.

But we need to be talking about savings that are even more significant. Let’s talk about savings plans within the school that help parents save money for college tuition. Let’s face it. The gap is widening between the haves and have-nots. Many children from public schools will not be able to attend college because of the rising costs.

Instead of discussing school uniforms (a superficial matter in my opinion), can we begin some discussions on uniformity that matter? Why isn’t there uniform instruction for parenting? Have we not read the startling statistics of how many of our youngsters are becoming parents between the ages of 13 and 18? Or what about a uniform program for job preparation? Are we going to be stuck in another era when we are pleased about how kids look? Let’s emphasize what’s going on in their minds. Isn’t that what schools are supposed to be about anyway?

—Beverly Tinort
Long Island City, N.Y.