<p>Catholic school kid here, K -12th, uniforms all years. DD - Catholic HS with uniforms, K-8th with a ‘modesty’ dress code. I am still so thankful for the uniform years, as is DD. Both of us had the plaid skirt, but DD had many more choices in tops and also had the option of a uniform sweat pant. </p>
<p>While I was in HS we’d take an annual vote - free dress every Friday, or get rid of the uniforms or, free dress during finals etc. Each and every time the secret ballot was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the uniforms.</p>
<p>DD grade school had a dress code - no bare midriffs on girls, shorts needed to be of a certain length, no baggy pant pants or offensive language on shirts. All was well until middle school, and then it began…can’t wear the same thing two days in a row, need to have certain styles, brands etc. Getting dressed in the mornings was an exercise in insecurity. Then, HS and uniforms…3 minutes in the a.m. big decision - wear the skirt or the sweats…all girls so… no makeup or fluffing. D now will tell you it was such relief and brought a sense of freedom and a lack of anxiety. And, yup, each time the uniform was put up to a vote…overwhelmingly the girls wanted to keep the skirt and sweats.</p>
<p>DS - also at a Catholic HS they have a dress code, no cut offs, no offensive T-shirts, pants have to be the appropriate size for the body upon which they will be draped, no - we do not want to see your undies! They have about a dozen dress up days…collared shirt, tie dress pants and a jacket. </p>
<p>So…here is one big vote in favor of a uniform or dress code. And, for the record, yes, on those dress up days, behavior does magically change…even if only for a few hours until the ties come off, the button down shirts are removed and the underneath tee’s are pulled out of the waist band and worn over the dress slacks (p.s. - you can wear your black Converse and get away with it - no dress shoes needed).</p>
<p>There is no question that some parents (and students) welcome uniforms. And in a private school obviously one buys in for a lot of policies, uniforms being just one. I don’t welcome uniforms-- as a parent, I don’t think they’re easier or more convenient. I have never had an argument or even a discussion with either kid about what they should wear or not wear, so uniforms would not solve that problem because it doesn’t exist. Both kids went to inner city public high schools and never, to my knowledge, gave a minute’s thought to what anyone else was wearing. The original post, I believe, was about uniforms in public schools. Should uniforms be imposed on students in public schools? Well maybe, if they want to wear them or their parents want them to wear them but only if those who don’t want to wear them can opt out.</p>
<p>I think uniforms are good especially with tie kakis and button downs. Our school has that as its dress code and i really believe it make you act and study harder. I do better when im dressed for success rather than in a tee and shorts. I even wear it to my sat and act tests an i am in now way a prepster lol</p>
<p>I agree it is a whole new ball of wax concerning uniforms in public schools.
Youngest attended inner city public, no dress code as far as I know. A large contingent of students “redesigned” their clothes, including D, and individual expression was celebrated.
Older d attended secular private school. Also no dress code, although from a few of the outfits perhaps some guidelines would have been in order.</p>
<p>But both schools had pretty successful students, it would be interesting to see if there is correlation between uniforms and students improvement or if other implementations make a larger difference.</p>
<p>When the faculty and administration do not wear the uniforms, what is that telling the students? I was present when a teacher at my son’s charter school was asked why he didn’t wear the school’s uniform. The teacher’s answer: “I’ve earned the right to wear whatever I want.” Really?</p>
<p>I found my Ss mandatory school uniform (full disclosure–at a private school) was a helpful part of teaching responsibility, choices and budgeting.</p>
<p>Each year S started out with a set number of each required clothing/shoes items along with a school approved sweatshirt (mild Texas winters). He knew that the home laundry was done on two specific days a week. If he did not keep up with his uniform items and get them into the laundry on this schedule, HE had to do the entire laundry process for his items. This motivation tool resulted in him catching on quickly not to leave stuff at school or a friends house.</p>
<p>Beginning in 8th grade he got a set amount of a school year non-uniform clothing budget/allowance. He could take it all in a lump or not. If school uniform items got misplaced, he had to pay for the replacement, either out of his budget or from earned money. So, there were very few lost uniform items. </p>
<p>The budget/allowance meant he had choices on his clothes. He caught on quickly about name-brand, store brand and sale merchandise etc. since he had full say in these items.</p>
<p>Major flaw with our public school uniform/dress code: Admin who does not enforce it. </p>
<p>So frustrating to our kids who would follow the rules begrudingly only to see other students get away with stretching the code without admin/teachers “busting” them. Then, every once in awhile the admin would try to rope everyone back in for a week and make everyone miserable. </p>
<p>As a private school mom of a HS now, my gripe: making us order “uniform” pieces that are rarely used - D had to order 2 (ugly, heavy, WHITE) sweaters last year that were REQUIRED. One, a long (very long) sleeved cardigan, one tennis sweater - one was to wear for mass (Catholic school) in warmer weather, one for colder weather. You could take it off after mass, but sweater mandatory for mass. My D refused to wear either one anytime she didn’t have to - so, over $100 worth of “sweater” just to attend mass once a month or so - ridiculous too since they already have uniform shirts!!!</p>
<p>Again, all of the reasons for private school uniform policies are fine. It doesn’t matter to me what private schools do. I didn’t send my kids to private school for a lot of reasons, uniforms being only one. I object to uniform policies in public schools.</p>
<p>I believe public schools have to allow an opt-out. I was on the governing council of a school with a uniform and it was explained that you can make it school policy, but you can’t actually force it in public school. Parents can opt their kids out.</p>
<p>I think most teachers do not wear uniforms although they may have school shirts, etc. I think it’s fine. My daughter didn’t wear a uniform, but she did dress professionally. I think it’s a bit of a practical matter for teachers who often are not going straight home after work and who may have appointments, dates, etc. to go to straight from work. I have seen teachers at our non-uniform high school where a school polo shirt.</p>
<p>I’m confused by the idea that if there is a uniform the teachers have to wear them. If the idea of the uniforms is 1) to stop gang affiliations 2) make it so there isn’t clothes envy amongst the students or any of the other reasons mentioned in this thread I don’t see how that conveys to their teachers. Are there teachers that show off gang affiliations? Are there teachers trying to show off their wealth with clothes? </p>
<p>When my sister was a new teacher they emphasized that she NOT wear things the students would wear, as she shouldn’t be mistaken for a student.</p>
<p>Students have things to do after school, too. Why should they be inconvenienced by having to carry a change of clothing with them if their school uniform is not appropriate attire for their after-school commitment when the teachers are not required to do the same?</p>
<p>I tend to look at teachers with respect. A teacher is an adult who is helping my child reach their potential. They are not my child’s peer. As adults, I expect them to have the experience and judgement to pick clothes that are appropriate for their chosen careers. And I have seldom run across a teacher who is lacking in this area. </p>
<p>Children, on the other hand are still learning. I attended 12 years of private school where the girls wore uniforms. My children went to public school where there were no uniforms. And I can see the pluses and minuses of having a uniform policy for students. I can find no pluses for having a uniform policy for the teachers.</p>
<p>I am not aware of any “opt out” policy in our school system. There was/is some $$ available for families not able to afford the required dress. I truly don’t believe anyone could opt out.</p>
<p>I attended a private secular K-8 school where uniforms were mandatory, and had to be purchased from a single vendor. We had to wear button down oxfords every day (although on Friday, we were given the option to wear the school polo shirt), and our skirts had to reach the knee, something which was regularly enforced. There were no school sweats or school sweatshirts, and girls were only given the option to wear the boys pants when I was in sixth grade. I believe we only had one free-dress day a year.</p>
<p>I then went to a private religious high school with no uniform, but a very strict dress code. Skirts had to reach mid-knee, no tank-tops, no t-shirts with logos, no skinny jeans, no sweats and boys had to wear collared shirts every day. This made shopping for school much more difficult. I always try to put effort into my appearance, and prefer to wear skirts and dresses, but it took much more time and money to get outfits that were approved. I don’t dress in revealing clothing, but my favorite skirts always stop a few inches above the knee and most pants and shorts sold are tight. Had I been given the option, I definitely would have preferred to wear uniforms in high school. Sure, I complained about the uniform at my K-8 school, but I was actually didn’t really mind. It’s easier to spend a bit of money on a uniform and purchase some “after school” outfits that don’t have to fit a strict dress code than to buy a lot of school clothing that may not even be my taste.</p>
<p>All schools need some type of dress code, or else outfits are going to be a huge distraction. If anything, a uniform is much easier to enforce. There isn’t much of a conflict- either you are wearing the uniform, or you’re not. Sure, there might be issues about skirt length, but this will occur even without a uniform. Uniforms look a lot better than what most kids wear to school anyways, and I personally believe that we should dress with some respect to ourselves and our surroundings. I’m not saying that public schools should adopt a uniform as strict as my K-8 school, but nothing’s wrong with navy or khaki pants/skirt and a polo. I spent less money on clothes with a uniform since I only had to buy some extra clothes for the weekends.</p>
<p>How big a problem is gang affiliation clothing or clothing envy in the public schools actually? I know people think it’s rampant, but is there any actual rather than anecdotal evidence that it is, or that uniforms in any way mitigate those problems?</p>
<p>If you do not understand the difference between students and teachers it might explain why public ed has so many issues. Not everyone has the same rights in many places and in many states schools can set dress regs if they want. Teachers can have a drink after work too if they need it. Not students.</p>