The School Team

Tuesday 19th of May 2009 12:56:59 AM

As fall approaches many public schools are gearing up for a battle. The 2009-2010 school year is projected to see almost 30 percent of the public schools in America institute school uniforms similar to their private school counterparts. These big changes have educators holding community information meetings across the nation to explain the advantages of school uniforms to parents and students.

“A simple cotton polo or t-shirt and a pair of slacks is a cost effective option for parents,” says Mike Earle. Earle, a member of one Maryland school district’s school board, wants to help parents see that simple choices, like cotton polo shirts, can be an affordable alternative to keeping up with current fashion trends.

But cost-efficiency is not this Maryland school district’s only selling point. Earle will also make a point of discussing individuality at his community information meetings. “It is commonly felt that school uniforms inhibit individuality. This just isn’t true. I will offer parents examples of schools where uniforms have let all students enter on an even playing field. School uniforms let students showcase their true individuality, not a dressed up version of it.”

There are many other positive points that can be made concerning school uniforms in public schools. A t-shirt or polo shirt with the school logo and a pair of khakis gives students a professional image. They make getting dressed in the morning easier for parents and students. And they send a powerful message – clothing peer pressure will not be tolerated.

Earle stated in his recent blog that his biggest obstacle to school uniforms so far has been the parents. “Our parents want their kids to stand out. We want their kids to stand out, too, just for different reasons. We want students to be noticed for what they do and who they are, not what they wear,” says Earle. A white cotton tee with the school name and mascot paired with a pair of slacks or a skirt is his answer to making clothing a positive, less distracting, element in his schools.