Are uniforms in public schools the cure for discipline and other problems? What is your opinion?

A: Some of the country’s largest school districts are adopting school uniforms for elementary and secondary-school students. Goals include improving academic performance, discipline, student self-esteem and safety. Some districts have seen a decrease in suspensions and fights after requiring all students to wear uniforms.

As a public school teacher, I had no experience with school uniforms until I spent two summers in primary schools in England. All children in public and Catholic schools there wore uniforms. It was during my first visit that I learned a valuable lesson about myself. Toward the end of my time in the school, I had a conversation with a 5-year-old girl who briefly mentioned her mother’s work. I realized that this was the first insight I had about any of the children’s economic background. After a month with them, I had learned a lot about the children, their talents, interest and abilities. But that information was not influenced by factors outside of their control.

After this experience, my opinion about school uniforms changed. Common sense tells you that uniforms in schools would not improve test scores. But can we avoid jumping to conclusions about others based on superficial information? As a teacher, if I can have an opportunity to get to know the children first, information about their economic situation is kept in perspective.

Some older children feel that school uniforms stifle their creativity. I’m not sure I buy that argument. Creativity is expressed in many ways and has little to do with what you are wearing.
School uniforms may not work in every community. I don’t think they should be considered as a way to fix every problem, either. But if they allow educators and children to get on to the business of teaching and learning, then it may be in your best interest to keep an open mind.

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