Dress Codes and School Uniforms Essay -- Education Clothing Essays

Dress Codes and School Uniforms The ringing of the alarm clock that is placed conveniently beside your bed wakes you. The sound startles your brain into getting out of your warm, cozy bed. It is time to go to school. You must wake up now in order to make it on time. If you are late again, your teacher will probably give you that nasty look of dismissal. What are you going to wear? Is this a dilemma you face each morning? Do you have trouble wanting to get out of your bed, and then you are faced with the troubling question of what cool, clean, unwrinkled outfit you should wear that day? Do you think your life would be easier if you could just throw on a uniform? This way you might not have to think so hard in the morning, right after that bellowing alarm clock frightens you into facing the world. Or do you like being able to express your individuality? This is an important question to think about. The first amendment gives each person in this nation the right to free expression. You should be able to dress as you wish and not feel pressured to dress in a uniform manner, with the rest of you student body. Right? I agree with this latter statement. "Currently 20% of the nation's school districts use uniforms, most of them voluntarily" (Portner, 2001). The states included in this percentage are: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Long Beach, California was the first to enforce voluntary school uniform policies into their schools. There are 60 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and one high school in Long Beach that have introduced this policy. There are over 72,000 students wearing school uniforms in Long Beach, California. Of these 72,000 students, on... ... In case you missed it: Some thoughts about school unfiroms. (26 April 2001). WWW: http://www.middleweb.com/INCASEUniforms.html Judge says school's dress code is legal. (1 September 1999). WWW: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/99/09/st090125.html Marchant, V. (13 September 1999). Time Magazine: Dress for success. WWW: http://www.time.com/magazine/articles/0,3266,30497.00.html Portner, J. (26 April 2001). Schools ratchet up the rules on student clothing. WWW: http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-8/35teens.h18 School Uniforms: Where they are and why they work. (26 April 2001). WWW: http://www.edgov/updates/uniforms.html Seigel, L. (1 March 1996). In Congress: Point of view: School uniforms. WWW: http://www.alcu.org/congress/uniform.html Those disgusting school uniforms. (1 October 1998). WWW: http://www.optionality.net/mag/oct98a.html