Benefits of School Uniforms

School Uniform Policies

Requirements for school uniforms vary depending on the type of school. Some require students to purchase almost every item from a specific manufacturer, while others allow the uniforms to be bought at any store, as long as they are a certain color or style. The more strict dress codes allow very little wiggle room in terms of what is allowed. They may even require the school logo on all of the shirts, sweaters and jackets. But whatever the dress code policy, the main idea is the same -- the more students dress alike without the distractions of street clothes, the more conducive the learning environment. Although not the norm yet throughout the United States, a growing number of public schools are implementing dress codes similar to uniforms for this same reason.

The Benefits of School Uniforms

Nowadays, young children are wearing uniforms in preschool or kindergarten. This allows the younger students to feel like they are part of the school community. But for the other students, the benefits of school uniforms, while highly debated, go beyond what is seen or worn in the classroom.

Focus on Inner Appearance

Since most private religious schools require uniforms, the main focus is on inner beauty and de-emphasizing outer appearances. These types of schools believe students should present themselves in moral and religious manners, and that includes modesty and appropriateness of clothing. This train of thought also includes modest:

• Children's jewelry
• Makeup
• Kids' hair styles
• Accessories such as belts, book bags and kids' shoes

Student Safety

Uniforms can help promote child safety, especially on those campuses where students wear a school logo on their clothing. Teachers, administrators, or other students can quickly identify someone who shouldn't be there simply because of his or her clothing. Other benefits of school uniforms in this instance include the following:

• Elimination of gang colors and logos
• Decreased violence and theft of expensive clothing and shoes
• Less distractions among the students
• Reducing the amount of class time teachers spend determining if a student's outfit is acceptable
• Allowing students to demonstrate respect to authorities by following a dress code

Cost Effectiveness

Overall, good quality school uniforms are not that cheap. But when you look at how many different items of clothing and shoes you purchase at the beginning of the school year, you spend about the same or sometimes even less on the uniforms. For instance, if you live in a warmer climate and the school uniform policy requires polo shirts, purchase only short-sleeved ones and couple them with turtleneck shirts or school-approved sweaters for cooler days. This will save on purchasing two seasons worth of clothing that you normally would buy if uniforms were not required.

Also, the pressure to buy expensive and trendy kids' clothing and shoes is not there when your children wear uniforms. Good quality uniforms can hold up for an entire school year and can be worn no matter what the weather. They are also made to stand up to frequent washings. It's true that the cost up front will be a lot, but since they don't go out of style, they can also be handed down to a younger sibling.

Parental Responsibility

The benefits of school uniforms can only be seen if the parents truly agree they should be worn and adhere to the school's policy regarding them. In some cases, the school will ask each parent to sign a dress code contract, which states the parents must do the following:

• Understand the reasons behind the uniform dress code policy
• Agree to support the school's position in the enforcement of the policy
• Ensure that their child understands why uniforms are worn
• Agree to send their child to school each day properly groomed and fully dressed in uniform.

In some cases, schools do not give a grace period and uniforms must be worn from the first day of classes. Also, some administrators will remove students from the classroom, and ultimately the school, if they continue to be non-compliant with the policy.