Uniforms in High School

Image via Wikipedia

In a rural surburban town in Orangeburg South Carolina. District school officials just told their students in January 2009 that the board has just voted and passed the wearing uniforms. Students and parents in ths community are outraged by this. Children in elementary and middle school are required to wear uniforms but at the high school level is absurd. In the local paper students gave their opinion and of course some was for the uniform and some were against having it. One student was looking forward to not wearing the uniform because she has worn uniforms all through school. She wanted the freedom of wearing what she wanted to to school since this was her freshmen year. The board of trustees seemed to think that certain things will happen with the wearing of uniforms:

1. They want parents to believe that the uniforms are cost effeicent (parents often fall for his one).
2. They want to believe the uniforms provide safety.
3. Students will concentrate more on education.

Let’s find out what the students arguments were:

1. In high school they buy their clothes and not the parents, because most students are employed.
2. School would be safe if the school would check for contraband regularly.
3. Students are concerned that officials are spening way to much time on clothing more than education.
4. I want the responsibilty of choosing my clothes to reveal their creative selves.

The biggest crock they throw to parents is how wearing uniforms saves money.

With this country in a recession, you would think that this would be a wonderful idea to save money on clothing. Let’s see:

With one child being in 10th-11th:

At least a five day supply of uniforms pants and shirts (district officials quoted $150, a band fee of $300 if they are they on the band,students pay a fee for art supplies, and sports. Not to mention school supplies.

Estimated total over $500 to $600 dollars

12th Grade

All of the above including graduation fee and essentials, Senior portraits, Prom and so much more..

Estimated total: $1,000

Cost efficient… you do the math.

Their next argument is safety. This school does not check for contraband or do regular checks. So uniforms would help make them feel safe? Not when in the month of March a person entered the building posing as a staff employee with a staff uniform on and was an imposter soliciting. How could this happen…he was wearing a uniform. What if the worse scenario happened and he had a weapon. Innocent children would be dead. Plus, the principal was aware after the fact.

Students would concentrate on education.

If all students in a predominatly black high school wearing the same thing provide a focus …no. Uniforms are not the magic pill that fixes everything. Teachers with a passion for teaching are needed in the classroom. They should be in tune with the lastest technology in the classroom. Not a teacher that gives a little and expects a paycheck. This school has teachers that have been teaching close to 50 years. The State Department of Education does not have a voice on dress so why should the school. This school in the past have won countless awards for excellence before a uniform policy so why change now. If the issue is forced, then they should be prepared for a major dropout rate. For the past two years at this high school they have been pushing the tuck the shirt before coming to class. If a student does not have their shirt tucked in they go to ISS (In School Suspension). If they have more infractions then they are sent home.

Children need discipline but most of these highschool young adults are at least 17 or 18 years old. They are considered adults and old enough to make their own decisions. Imagine wearing a uniform in your senior year. Everyone has the right to choose their way of life.