The document discusses the history and benefits of school uniforms. It began with uniforms being introduced in England in the 1600s to promote equality. More recently, the percentage of schools requiring uniforms increased from 1 in 8 in 2003-2004 to 1 in 5 in 2011-2012. Uniforms are said to reduce bullying, increase learning by reducing stress, decrease gang affiliation and profanity, help identify intruders, and reduce parental costs compared to street clothes. Overall, the document argues that uniforms contribute to greater student achievement and a better school culture.

1. THE USE OF SCHOOL
UNIFORMS
Katarina Miller
J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

2. The History of Uniforms
◦ Began their introduction in England in the 1600s
◦ Were made to bring equality between students
◦ The popularity of uniforms are constantly increasing
◦ In the 2011-2012 school year, 1 in 5 schools were required to wear
uniforms. In the 2003-2004 school year, only 1 in 8 schools were
required to wear uniforms. (“School Uniforms”)
Sources: Carson, Chris. "The History of School Uniforms." EHow. Demand Media. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
"School Uniforms" ProCon.org Headlines. ProCon.org. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

3. Native American
students who
attended the
Carlisle Indian
Industrial School
were required to
wear military
like uniforms.
Native American children in uniform at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania circa. 1890
Source: Jon Allen Reyhner, “Indian Boarding Schools.” californinaindianeducation.org

4. Bullying and Suicide Statistics
“Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people [ages 10 through 24],
resulting in about 4,600 deaths per year.”
A nationwide survey for 9-12th graders conducted by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention came to the conclusion of the following facts:
1. 16% of students came across the thought of wanting to commit suicide
2. 13% of students created a plan for attempting suicide
3. 8% attempted suicide before completing the survey
Source: "Suicide Prevention." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
10 Mar. 2015. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

5. Uniforms help prevent bullying. How?
Fact: 65% of children that are victims of bullying are bullied because of their
physical appearance, weight, or clothing (Hambrick).
◦ Uniforms increase equality by making students dress the same each day.
Students will not be distinguished by their less expensive clothes like Walmart
and Target or their more expensive clothes such as, Vineyard Vines and Lilly
Pulitzer.
◦ Uniforms take away the “economic class” of a family.
◦ Children will be less prone to being made fun of for wearing the same outfit
multiple days in a row. This could be due to the child’s choice, or the parents’
economic situation
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!
Source: Hambrick, Greg. "New Survey: 83 Percent of Teens Bullied." Fairfax City, VA Patch. Patch Network, 26 Aug.
2014. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

6. Increased Learning
◦ Uniforms allow less stress and more time for a morning routine.
◦ Less time & stress early in the morning = nutritious breakfast before school!
What does food have to do with learning?
Well….
Tufts University conducted two studies that both came to the conclusion that
students who ate breakfast in the morning were more focused, prepared, and had a
better memory than those who didn’t eat breakfast in the morning (Fleck).
◦ Students will be less worried about what others are wearing and will be focusing on
their education
Source: Fleck, Alissa. "Does Eating Breakfast Affect Children's Learning?" Healthy Eating. Demand Media. Web. 8
Dec. 2015

7. Reduced Gang Affiliation/Profanity
◦ Uniforms make schools look more presentable and professional.
◦ Uniforms reduce the monitoring that a staff member would have to perform
◦ Reduces the amount a student will have to go home for inappropriate
clothing
◦ Reduces the amount a parent will have to leave work or what they are
doing, to go to the school and provide appropriate clothing for their child
◦ Uniforms put a barrier on what students can wear
◦ Guys: wouldn’t be able to wear their pants low and oversized t-shirts
◦ Shirts could have inappropriate language/actions
◦ Girls: wouldn’t be able to wear short skirts and skimpy t-shirts

8. “The use of school uniforms, whether in public or private schools, has a powerful influence on school
culture in ways that contribute to greater levels of student achievement” (Hawkins, Tucker). – Gail
Connelly
Source: Tucker, Kaylen, and Molly Hawkins. "National Association of Elementary School Principals: Serving All
Elementary and Middle-level Principals." NAESP. NAESP, 17 June 2013. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.

9. Helps with School Shootings
◦ School officials will know if an intruder is entering the building
because they will not be wearing the required uniform, which
makes them an outsider,
◦ Uniforms help distinguish the difference between the staff,
students, and the intruder.
◦ If students are wearing street clothes, school officials are less
prone to knowing who the intruder is.

10. Reduced Time and Spending
◦ Uniforms are easy to put on in the morning, giving more time for a morning routine.
◦ Uniforms cost approximately $130 compared to street clothes which cost around $850 a year
(Benjamin)
“It [school uniforms] can help them save money because they have to buy the same outfit for every
day, which means five outfits that are the same, and costing the same price” (Daily Gazette). –
Brittany Whelan
◦ If multiple children are attending the school, uniforms can be passed down since they don’t
change very often.
Sources: Benjamin, Angella. "School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money." School Uniforms save Parents Time,
Money. 27 Apr. 2006. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
Whelan, Brittany. "School Uniforms save Money, Avoid Problems." The Daily Gazette. The Daily Gazette, 14 May
2010. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

11. Work Cited
◦ Benjamin, Angella. "School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money." School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money. 27
Apr. 2006. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
◦ Carson, Chris. "The History of School Uniforms." EHow. Demand Media. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
◦ Hambrick, Greg. "New Survey: 83 Percent of Teens Bullied." Fairfax City, VA Patch. Patch Network, 26 Aug. 2014.
Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
◦ Fleck, Alissa. "Does Eating Breakfast Affect Children's Learning?" Healthy Eating. Demand Media. Web. 8 Dec. 2015
◦ Mitchell, Alison. "Clinton Will Advise Schools on Uniforms." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Feb.
1996. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
◦ "School Uniforms" ProCon.org Headlines. ProCon.org. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
◦ Tucker, Kaylen, and Molly Hawkins. "National Association of Elementary School Principals: Serving All Elementary
and Middle-level Principals." NAESP. NAESP, 17 June 2013. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
◦ Whelan, Brittany. "School Uniforms save Money, Avoid Problems." The Daily Gazette. The Daily Gazette, 14 May
2010. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.