Source A
In Long Beach, CA, after two years of a district-wide K-8 mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the
district's schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%,
sex offenses were cut by 74%, robbery dropped by 65%, possession of weapons (or weapon "look-alikes") decreased by
52%, possession of drugs went down by 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%. [64]
M. Sue Stanley, "School Uniforms and Safety," Education and Urban Society, Aug. 1996
Source B
Source C
A 2012 peer-reviewed study found that one year after Sparks Middle School in Nevada instituted a uniform policy, school
police data showed a 63% drop in police log reports, and decreases were also noted in gang activity, student fights,
graffiti, property damage, and battery. [25] A 2010 peer-reviewed study found that schools with uniform policies had 12%
fewer firearm-related incidents and 15% fewer drug-related incidents than schools without uniforms.
Seunghee Han, "A Mandatory Uniform Policy in Urban Schools: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2003-04," International
Journal of Education Policy and Leadership, 2010
1
Source D
Source E
A bulletin published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals stated that "When all students are
wearing the same outfit, they are less concerned about how they look and how they fit in with their peers; thus, they can
concentrate on their schoolwork."
Peter Caruso, "Individuality vs. Conformity: The Issue behind School Uniforms," NASSP (National Association of Secondary School
Principals) Bulletin, Sep. 1996
Source F
2
Source G
Source: graham-briggs-school-outfitters.co.uk (accessed Aug. 5, 2014)
Source H
3
Source I
Source: US Department of Education, NCES, ECS, NAESP, University of Florida
Date: July 11, 2014
School Uniform Statistics
Data
Percent of all public and private schools that have a uniform policy
23 %
Annual school uniform sales
$1,300,000,000
Average annual cost to parents for school uniforms
$249
Cities with the highest use of uniforms in their public schools
New Orleans
95 %
Cleveland
85 %
Chicago
80 %
Boston
65 %
Miami
60 %
Cincinnati
50 %
The following is a survey of Parents and Teachers regarding the implemented use of school uniforms. The percent
represents those who marked "Agree" or "Strongly Agree"
Survey Question
Parents
Teachers
Policy has hindered self expression and creativity
34 %
5%
Policy has hindered individual student’s personal liberty
36 %
0%
Has promoted a sense of security
41 %
86 %
Has increased school pride and has created a sense of community
42 %
80 %
The school uniform has been financially beneficial for my household
49 %
86 %
Has addressed the peer pressure issue of "fitting in" by wearing specific brands
47 %
90 %
Has promoted positive student behavior
37 %
95 %
Policy has minimized disruption and distractions
38 %
81 %
Has eliminated competition among students
36 %
52 %
School uniforms have improved the learning environment
35 %
81 %
The Board should extend the school uniform policy indefinitely
42 %
81 %
Long Beach, CA implemented uniforms in 1995 and reported the following results
Long Beach Uniform Statistics
Data
Overall, the crime rate dropped by
91 %
School suspensions dropped by
90 %
Sex offenses were reduced by
96 %
Incidents of vandalism went down
69 %
Assaults in grades K-8 decreased by
85 %
Norfolk, VA implemented uniforms in 1995 and reported the following results
Long Beach Uniform Statistics
Data
Leaving class without permission dropped by
47 %
Throwing objects dropped by
68 %
4
Fighting dropped by
Source J
A poll administered by the Harford County, MD school system in 2007 found that "teachers and administrators were
overwhelmingly in favor" of introducing school uniforms. The poll also found that 58% of parents wanted a mandatory
uniform policy instated
Madison Park, "School Uniforms Poll Bares Generation Gap," baltimoresun.com, Dec. 23, 2007
Source K
Troy Shuman, a senior in Harford County, MD, said the introduction of a mandatory uniform policy to his school would be
"teaching conformity and squelching individual thought. Just think of prisons and gangs. The ultimate socializer to crush
rebellion is conformity in appearance. If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?"
Madison Park, "School Uniforms Poll Bares Generation Gap," baltimoresun.com,
Source L
A national 2013 survey of 517 US school leaders found that 94% of those surveyed believe "one of the main benefits to
parents is that school uniforms are more cost-effective than regular apparel," and 77% estimated the average annual cost
of school uniforms per child to be $150 or less.
National Association of Elementary School Principals, "National Survey of School Leaders Reveals 2013 School Uniform Trends," naesp.org,
July 30, 2013
Source M
Native American children in uniform at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, circa 1890.
Source: Jon Allen Reyhner, "Indian Boarding Schools," californiaindianeducation.org (accessed Aug. 5, 2014)
5
Source N
42nd US President Bill Clinton delivering his 1996 State of the Union address, during which he announced his support of school uniforms.
Source: Jack Cafferty, "How Much Do State of the Union Speeches Matter?," cnn.com, Jan. 27, 2010
Source O
Two boys from the elite English school Eton, dressed in formal school uniforms, are observed by working-class London boys in 1937.
Source: Greg Sandow, "Vacation Thoughts — Formal Dress," artsjournal.com, Sep. 13, 2008
6