9 Pinellas County schools may require uniforms

Largo, Florida -- Pinellas County students are barely into the start of their summer break and yet, what they'll be wearing during the next school year is up for debate.

[David]

Do school uniforms create a desirable feeling of belonging somewhere?

School uniforms hamper original thinking in students and send the wrong message of conformity. When they grow up they may not give their opinion on something. We all have a right to individuality, to make personal choices and to express our personality. The right of free expression includes the way we choose to dress. Uniforms in public schools infringe on our rights and are a misuse of authority. The right to choose what to wear is particularly important for young people, who often have few other ways of expressing their personality or making choices about their lives. When choosing what to wear to school, kids might take time at the same time they learn to think for themselves and to give their ideas to the world.

Do school uniforms improve children's' results?

There is no good evidence that links school uniform to improved results. A few schools in the USA reported better test scores after they started having uniform, but most of these made other changes to the running of the school which could have helped instead. Studies looking at lots of schools, with and without uniform, have not found any link between what children wear and school results.

Do school uniforms reduce discrimination, bullying, or violence?

There are some suggestions that school uniforms reduced discrimination, bullying, violence and crime, which in turn would result in a better learning and a safer learning environment. However, there is little or no evidence in research to support any such suggestions. In fact, there is some research that concludes that uniforms did NOT result in better behavior.

Are school uniforms a good value for money?

The State of Florida MUST provide FREE public education under the law. Uniforms are an additional expensive and can be hard for parents to afford – it’s like an extra tax on sending your child to school. After all, kids will need normal clothing also for after school, weekends, and holidays.

Are school uniforms better than just dress codes?

Rather than introduce school uniforms just enforce a dress code. This has all the benefits without the disadvantages. While uniforms force all children to wear the same clothes, dress codes give students choice. Only unsuitable attire should be banned for example, gang colors, very short skirts/shorts, crop tops, bare shoulders, open toe shoes, offensive material, etc.

Are school uniforms a beneficial preparation for future careers?

Wearing a school uniform is not good preparation for working. Only a few jobs require uniforms, and many of these are low-paid service jobs - not what we want our young people to aim for. After all, their main role-models at school - the teachers - don’t have to wear a uniform. Well-paid jobs used to require a suit, but even this has been changing in recent years and smart-casual clothes are much more common now. Even if you have to wear a suit, you still have a huge choice of styles, color and accessories with which to express your personality. This isn’t true of school uniform.

Most importantly, mandatory school uniforms at public schools are prone to violate inalienable rights, including freedom of expression and the prior right for families to decide how their own children are to be educated.

http://www.gate.net/~rwms/UniformLawsuit.html

https://www.ocps.net/es/legislative/Documents... (2).pdf

[Cynthia T]

The kids hate them, though