School Uniforms

In June 2001, a Senate sponsored bill, (S.1) extending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, enabled federal funds to be used to develop and implement a uniform policy as a response to school violence. .
             State Legislation: There are currently twenty-one states with a uniform policy.15 Some of these states include, Idaho (House Bill 276), which required that each school board shall have the "power and duty" to develop a policy regarding school uniforms. However, this bill was not passed. Maryland (Bill MD H.B. 632-1998) also required school districts to adopt a school uniform policy, but the bill was not passed and was carried over to the next session. As for Delaware (House Bill 265), they required each school district to establish and enforce a dress code program with affordable school uniforms. This bill was also carried over. *see Appendix A .
             Political Environment: The debate over mandatory uniforms in the public school system is raging across the country. One of the chief benefits of school uniforms, say proponents, is that they make schools safer. Groups such as the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) say that uniforms reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers. They claim that parents also benefit because they are no longer pressured to buy the latest fashions, and they spend less on their children's clothing.14 These proponents also say uniforms enhance students' self-concepts, classroom behavior, improved attendance, and academic performance.15 As a result, many politicians, such as Bill Clinton and numerous senators, are also favored school uniform policies. This can be seen through the various legislations and court decisions made in favor of school uniforms.11.
             Opponents, such as The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), contend that school uniform policies infringe upon students' First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and interfere with students' natural tendency to experiment with their identities.