School Uniforms
...of a good
school. Children who feel safe and secure will better learn basic
values. In return they will learn the basis of good citizenship and become
better students. In response to growing levels of violence in our schools, many
parents, teachers, and school officials have been forced to look toward school
uniforms as one potentially positive way to reduce discipline problems and
increase school safety.
It has been observed that the adoption of school uniform policies can promote
school safety, improve discipline, and enhance the learning environment. The
potential benefits of school uniforms include decreasing violence and theft.
Some instances involving designer clothing and expensive sneakers have even led
to life-threatening situations among students. Uniforms would also prevent gang
members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school. Uniforms would also
teach students discipline and help them resist peer pressure. Uniforms would
also help students concentrate on their schoolwork and would help school
officials detect intruders who come unwelcome into the school.
As a result, many local communities are deciding to adopt school uniform
policies as part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline.
California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee,
Utah and Virginia have enacted school uniform regulations. Many large public
school systems including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Los Angeles,
Long Beach, Miami, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, Seattle
and St. Louis have schools with either voluntary or mandatory uniform policies,
mostly in elementary and middle schools. In addition, many private schools have
required uniforms for a number of years. Still other schools have implemented
dress codes to encourage a safe environment by prohibiting clothes with...
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