Uniform+Debate+Article

=**School uniforms**= =**Would it be right for the state to mandate them?**=

President Clinton has said they improve security and increase discipline in schools. And Gov. A. Paul Cellucci has filed a bill that would make them compulsory in public schools across the state. Uniforms. They would, it is said, create a better learning environment for students. They would save parents the absurd amounts of time and money they now invest in shopping for their children's clothes. They would help combat cliques within the sudent body. They would cut down on deliquency. They would inspire students to take their learning seriously. In one school district, the implementation of uniforms apparently lowered general crime by 36 percent, halved fights and weapons offenses, and reduced sex offenses by two thirds. But while there is an abundance of pros on this issue, there must be cons, too. If uniforms are so wonderful, why have American public schools resisted them for so long? Isn't there, in fact, something stuffily unAmerican about them? Do they not encourage an undemocratic ridigity of attitude? Do they not create an oppressive atmosphere of sameness and further diminish a school's appeal to students? And are they not an imposition of adult taste on adolescent sensibilities? We asked some local parents, administrators and students what they thought.

By Kaidi Stroud
 * Uniforms are a bad fit for some**

Ever since I was physically capable of dressing myself, my mother has always let me choose my own clothes to wear to school. I can remember showing up at the bus stop in what other people must have thought were the most ridiculous outfits, a pair of mismatched socks being my trademark. I was never really the dress-and-stocking type and would much rather have preferred wearing bright colors and something a little more comfortable, say a pair of sweat pants complete with grass stains on the knees. Besides, I never would have been able to play soccer at recess wearing a dress. I recently read an article in The Standard-Times concerning Governor Celluci's push for school uniforms and his proposal to make them mandatory across the state. Those in favor of the proposal argue that uniforms would eliminate rivalry, ridicule, jealousy and scorn, as well as promote "school identity." This is true. When people put on certain clothes, they automatically feel the need to take on the persona associated with the outfit. I could put on a Juliet costume, for example, and all of a sudden I'd probably start quoting Shakespeare, or I could put on a cowboy hat and suddenly develop a swagger and a western twang. What I honestly think of when I think of uniforms is the movie Dead Poet's Society. In this movie, which takes place at an all boys' school where uniforms were a must, an English teacher is essentially fired for encouraging his students to "seize the day," follow their dreams, and live inspired. Neil, one of the main characters in the movie, actually ends up committing suicide when he is not allowed to pursue his dream of acting because it would interfere with his father's wishes for him to become a doctor. Both literally and metaphorically, he was being forced to fill clothes that weren't his own, and there was no way he could grow when the clothes he was wearing already didn't fit. What students wear to school is really not the issue here, and forcing kids to wear uniforms would be making a big mistake. The problem in schools is that many kids don't want to learn what is being taught, and that is what is causing disciplinary problems. Kids aren't given enough freedom to learn at their own pace and study the things that interest them. Had my mother forced me to wear dresses all the time, I may have never been bold enough to venture towards soccer, and soccer was something I ended up really enjoying as a little kid. I was even willing to work at it. Every day after school I would go out and practice in the backyard and eventually, I began to develop skills as a soccer player and move towards my full potential. Shouldn't that be the ultimate goals of every school, to have each child reach his or her full potential? Kids are obviously going to work a lot harder when they are doing something that interests them, and forcing them into uniforms is just another way of shoving their own interests into the bottom drawer. The real issue is developing a curriculum that can be modified to the needs and interests of each individual student. In a perfect school, students would study what they wanted when they wanted in addition to having one-on-one study sessions with their teachers. Libraries would also be full of books, art rooms overflowing with supplies, and weight rooms equipped with enough weights to accommodate more than one person at a time. I have yet, however, to find the perfect school, nor, in all probability, will I ever. But it seems as though clothing is the least of most schools' problems. For some students, that extra discipline that a school uniform could provide might be all they need to thrive and succeed. For others, the more freedom the better. Uniforms can be great for those students who need more structure, but I'd hate to see what it would do to the students who don't. Kaidi Stroud is a student at Old Rochester Regional High School.

By Sara English, Thomas Tripp and James Andrews Uniformity does not necessarily eliminate individuality. We feel that wearing uniforms does not impose on an individual's self-expression. The use of school uniforms has been controversial issue among high school students for many years. As high school students, our belief is that school uniforms can actually eliminate many of the problems faced by students everyday. Many pressures faced by students deal with their appearance. Students feel pressure before they even leave for school. It starts when they are choosing what to wear. The thought put into this decision is very critical because the appearance of one's self to his or her peers is of great importance. The way one looks has a great impact on the way he or she will be treated. This choice will follow the student through the course of the day. Many factors contribute to making this a hard decision. Not only does the student have to choose something that they like, they also have to choose something that others will like as well. Subsequently, not everyone has the money to afford the clothes that are considered to be in style. School uniforms will help to create the appropriate business environment that a school should have. We have witnessed this concept in action. As DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students, we have gone to competitions in which only business attire was acceptable. This allowed us to be viewed by our ideas, not our appearance, which gave us all an equal opportunity to be judged on the same level. By dressing professionally, we feel that students tend to act more maturely and more responsibly. We believe that this can do nothing but good for our school environment. In conclusion, school uniforms would help to better the school climate. It would decrease distractions in the classroom while increasing the students' eagerness to learn. School uniforms would allow students to focus on preparing themselves to enter their perspective careers. This is why we, as high school students, believe that school uniforms would allow us to excel in our chosen paths. In life, the paths we choose become the way in which we express our individuality. Sara English, Thomas Tripp and James Andrews are juniors of Wareham High School.
 * Uniforms on, pressure off**

By Bernard F. Roderick Governor Cellucci's recent proposal is at least worthy of debate. Is it the quick-fix gimmick dujour or is it a serious initiative that merits serious consideration? Having weathered six years of Education Reform and a cascade of "Silberisms" along with every politician taking his turn at the plate to whack away at the educational system, one has to raise an eyebrow at this latest proposed cure-all. An objective review of this initiative produces findings that are at best non-conclusive. Some systems throughout the country have instituted similar policies, but if one looks closely, primarily only on elementary levels. It would seem that the rationale for the need for uniforms exists at the secondary level where peer pressure and social awareness issues are at their highest. Reports do exist of fighting, theft, disruption and, yes, even killing over jackets, sneakers and jewelry in major urban areas, but I sense these are primarily secondary school issues related to gang problems. I am not aware of similar instances in elementary levels. The argument for uniforms invariably points toward the lack of discipline problems at private and parochial schools, but there lies the rub: discipline at non-public schools is maintained at higher levels, not because of uniforms, but because of the fact that they are private. A very simple rule exists in the private education sector: If you don't follow the rules, leave. Public schools have no such luxury. I, for one, would be very interested in the outcome of a legal challenge to a public school were one to deny a student an education due to their inability or refusal to wear a uniform. Given the history of court decisions in similar matters, I would wager the public schools would not prevail. Does the wearing of uniforms dull the edge of peer and social antagonisms? I sense it may have some merit on the elementary levels, but lesser so on the middle and secondary levels. Is the issue worthy of debate and perhaps experimentation? Perhaps we should at least put the issue to rest until another "expert" breathes life back into it. One last thought. With the emphasis today being placed on our schools by society to respect and maintain awareness of societal and cultural diversity among all, and that each child is an individual and should have their individual needs met and treated as such, it seems that we now are trying to treat everyone the same and make everyone look alike in an effort to control behaviors. Makes one wonder sometime if we really think we know what we are doing. Bernard F. Roderick is the superintendent of schools, Fairhaven Public Schools.
 * Why try to make everyone look alike?**

Photo By A. Paul Cellucci Raising academic standards, assessing teachers and students, holding schools accountable -- these are the really big challenges we face as we work to give all children in Massachusetts the high quality education they deserve. But as we focus on those key issues, we shouldn't overlook the smaller things that can also make a big difference in our children's education. Having students wear a uniform to school is one. I happen to think school uniforms are a great idea, and I hope every school in Massachusetts agrees. And to encourage our schools to discuss the issue, I have filed legislation requiring all 1,800 school parent councils across the state to adopt a school-uniform policy. Schools would not be required to adopt uniforms if they decide they're just not right for them. But if they adopted uniforms, our schools would be joining a nationwide trend that has seen parents, teachers, principals and school communities work together to promote an atmosphere of safety and seriousness in their classrooms. The evidence from schools where students wear uniforms shows it works. Schools are safer and more orderly; violence, theft and truancy decline; school discipline improves; pride and school spirit improve; and parents report greater attachment and satisfaction with their children's school. In this new climate, students learn more and perform better, which is our common goal. In Long Beach, California, which was the first major district in the country to adopt a uniform policy, crime went down 36 percent. Fights and possession of dangerous weapons declined by half. Truancy and vandalism went down. And even though uniforms were voluntary, fewer than one percent of students decided not to wear them. It's no surprise that school uniforms work. Clothing designers spend millions of dollars each year on advertising because they know what we know: clothes send a message and influence behavior. Clothes can be a distraction, and that affects learning. Clothes can divide students into competing cliques, and that destroys school spirit. And when rival gangs show up at school decked out as if dressed for battle, clothes can be used to intimidate and instill a sense of fear. Some critics complain that making students wear a school uniforms crimps their style and violates their right of free expression. But I think wearing school uniforms does the reverse. It can enhance those rights by creating a school environment where students can learn to read, to write, to think and to express themselves effectively.
 * Uniforms are good for learning**

A. Paul Cellucci is the governor of Massachusetts

By Debbie Eddleston and Henry Danielli The issue of uniforms in the public school system has repeatedly surfaced in recent years. We conducted an impromptu survey of approximately fifty Fairhaven parents and teachers at the Leroy L. Wood Elementary School and the results were astounding. Out of the fifty polled, thirty nine people were in favor of implementing an overall uniform policy, ten people were against such a policy and one was undecided. We also polled a total of twenty one students and as you can imagine, they were all totally against having the school department dictating their apparel during school hours. We share the opinions of many of these concerned parents. Their comments ranged from "No hassles in the morning" to "Peer pressure would be 90 percent eliminated." We totally agree. It's difficult to have a child come home from school and say that they were made fun of because their sneakers were not NIKE, or that their jeans aren't GAP. Trying to keep up with these changing fads requires numerous subscriptions to many different Teen magazines. Fashion as we know it today stems from a wide range of rock groups and television shows. By implementing a school uniform, we would eliminate the problem of telling your child that the T-shirt that they received as a birthday gift is not suitable for school attire, or the skirt they have chosen is either too short or too tight to be acceptable in an educational institution. Not to date ourselves, but when we were in school, patch pockets weren't even allowed as suitable attire, let alone wearing jeans. We believe that the main concern at school should be learning and not a never-ending game of keeping up with the Jones'. We are not saying that free speech or self-expression is a wrong thing, except that in this day and age, it has gone to the extreme. When a child with a 20-inch waist wears pants that should fit a person with a 32-inch waist, it is somewhat ridiculous. Someday, sit in front of any high school in the area, excluding Bishop Stang, who has a uniform policy already in place, and watch the wide variety of self-expressionism, and you will be totally amazed at what you see. Has society become so lax in their expectations that it is acceptable to attend a funeral in jeans and a T-shirt or go to a job interview wearing shorts and pierced eyebrows, tongues, and noses? Are we doing our young people a disservice by not letting them know that some things are just not acceptable? Where will it end?
 * "Hassles" and teasing are eliminated**