School Uniforms

"When you can't afford nice clothes, it makes you feel poor, act poor and do poorly in school." .
             Of course, hard proof of the impact of school uniforms on academic performance and discipline is very hard to come by, especially since it has only been in recent years that so many public schools have been implementing the policy. .
             Those who oppose the public school system having the power to impose dress codes/uniforms are generally against the idea because it violates individual rights to free speech. .
             There was a recent appeal filed with the State Dept. of Education by the ACLU. The case was filed on behalf of high school student, Robert Parker, who was suspended twice for wearing a White Zombie T-shirt with the numerals "666" on it. This same high school regularly allows students to wear other religious symbols/messages (such as "I will serve the Lord,") without being punished. Specifically the ACLU makes the legal claim that: --- The school's ban on Robert's T-shirt based solely on disapproval of its content violates his free speech rights; -- The school's dress code provisions are unconstitutionally vague. and; -- The T-shirt ban violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause since school officials permit "acceptable" religious messages to be worn, but prohibit a message with the numerals "666". "In the process of trying to make schools safe, it's good to get rid of guns. It's not good to suspend common sense or the Bill of Rights," said John Dineen, the volunteer a!.
             ttorney for the ACLU appeal. .
             School officials in Cromwell, Connecticut, offended by "Comedy Central's South Park", may ban any attire that includes South Park's characters or slogans. The problem school officials have with the show is it's routine derogatory comments about ethnic groups, homosexuals and Jews, and the fact that in every episode one of the characters, Kenny, is violently killed. Many people argue that schools are supposed to teach children certain values, and that allowing the student body to adorn themselves in attire that expresses negative social/religious commentary is wrong.