The Challenges of Mandating School Uniforms in the Public Schools
Free Speech, Research, and Policy
By (author) Todd A. DeMitchell, Richard Fossey
Publication date:
08 July 2015Length of book:
166 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781475809336
School uniform polices, often associated with private schools, are increasingly being adopted in public schools; but not without controversy. The often asserted reasons for mandating uniforms include improved student behavior, better attendance, less competition over clothing, and improved student learning because students would not be distracted by who was wearing what and could focus on their studies. Wishful thinking or empirically tested hypotheses? However, opponents assert that a mandated uniform seeks to homogenize the students, violates their free speech rights, and does not solve the problems the policy is intended to remedy.
The Challenges of Mandating School Uniforms in the Public Schools: Free Speech, Research, and Policy explores the policy rationale, the constitutional rights of students, and the research on the impact of school uniforms. Educators, parents, and policymakers will find this book and its companion, Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment: Legal Challenges and Policy Issues, a must read when considering student attire issues.
The Challenges of Mandating School Uniforms in the Public Schools: Free Speech, Research, and Policy explores the policy rationale, the constitutional rights of students, and the research on the impact of school uniforms. Educators, parents, and policymakers will find this book and its companion, Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment: Legal Challenges and Policy Issues, a must read when considering student attire issues.
Focused on increasing academic achievement in our schools, administrators and policy makers often look to requiring school uniforms as one strategy for decreasing the distractions that interrupt learning in our schools. Any school community considering requiring students to wear uniforms must put Todd DeMitchell and Richard Fossey’s new book, The Challenges of Mandating School Uniforms in the Public Schools: Free Speech, Research, and Policy high on their required reading list. DeMitchell and Fossey unravel the complexity of the policy issue confronting schools, parents, and students regarding what students may wear to school. In addition to a valuable review of the early research on the efficacy of school uniforms as a reform strategy, DeMitchell and Fossey provide an in-depth analysis of the evolving legal principles that must be considered in implementing school uniforms in our public schools.