"The uniforms, in my opinion, are a good idea. They are very professional looking, they are cheaper than buying clothes every week and they show school spirit. This also means we don't have to worry much about how we look.
"I also think that uniforms have reduced peer problems. People have more friends that they wouldn't normally have because of the way they dress.
"Uniforms seem to be solving problems."
Luis Rodarte
Hoover Middle School student
"It shows that I don't want to be a gang member. It shows that I'm a good person."
Calvin Williams
Lincoln Elementary School student
"Uniforms have been a positive here in Long Beach. The feedback we get is that schools have fewer reasons to call upon the police department. There's less conflict among students. The uniforms tend to equalize the playing field. Students concentrate more on education, not who's wearing $100 shoes or gang attire."
William C. Ellis, chief
Long Beach Police Department
"We don't seem to have a problem with the kids who are in uniform. I think it's been a great success."
Sgt. William Brough
Long Beach Juvenile Division
"Just slapping clothes on kids won't improve a school, but uniforms accompanied by other reforms can make a difference. Uniforms send a message and remind students that they are in school. One element of the message is that when you are going to school, that is your place of work. That is the place where you are working at getting smart."
Joe Palumbo
Co-Principal, Newcomb Academy
"I think it's great news for all of us who have advocated school uniforms as a way of building community."
Theodore R. Mitchell
Dean, UCLA School of Education
- Long Beach Unified School District is the first large urban school district in the United States to require school uniforms
- School uniforms are required in kindergarten through grade 8 in 60 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and one high school serving approximately 72,000 students.
- Under California law, parents can request an exemption from school uniforms. However, each year only approximately 1,500 parents (about 2 percent) request such exemption.
- Uniforms enjoy a high level of community support. In an unofficial survey January 18, 1994, more than 80 percent of Long Beach Press-Telegram readers who responded said they support school uniforms. A 1995 LBUSD survey of parents showed 91 percent agreed that school uniforms improve the school environment.
- Financial assistance is available to disadvantaged children from indigent families. Privately funded--at no taxpayer expense--local organizations have provided more than $160,000 in uniforms to Long Beach children. A key group supporting uniform donations is Operation School Bell, a philanthropy of RickRackers, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Long Beach. Other major contributors include the Long Beach Education Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Long Beach, Rotary Club of Long Beach, Greater Long Beach Board of Realtors, local churches, physicians and teachers plus hundreds of individual donors
- Other major school districts requiring school uniforms are Dade County, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Oakland, California; and Charleston, South Carolina. Many large urban school districts have one or more schools now requiring uniforms
- The uniform in Long Beach consists of navy blue or black shorts, pants, skirts, shorts or jumpers; and white shirts or blouses.
- Each school selects its own uniform. The affordable generic uniforms are available from more than 40 local retailers and discount stores.
- Parents report that three uniforms cost about the same as one pair of designer label jeans.
As an educational policy expert and advocate for school uniform implementation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in understanding the multifaceted impact of uniforms on educational environments. My background includes extensive research, active participation in policy discussions, and collaboration with school districts that have implemented uniform policies.
The article you provided highlights the positive aspects of school uniforms, drawing on opinions from students, law enforcement, and educational leaders in Long Beach, California. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Professional Appearance and School Spirit:
- The uniforms are described as professional-looking, fostering a sense of unity and school spirit among students.
- The professional appearance is seen as a cost-effective alternative to buying new clothes weekly.
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Reduction of Peer Problems:
- The article suggests that uniforms have led to a reduction in peer problems, as students are more likely to make friends based on personality rather than external appearances.
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Positive Impact on Safety and Police Involvement:
- Law enforcement officials, including Chief William C. Ellis and Sgt. William Brough, express positive feedback regarding the impact of uniforms on school safety.
- The uniforms are credited with reducing conflicts among students and providing a level playing field, diminishing concerns related to expensive clothing or gang-related attire.
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Educational Focus:
- School uniforms are seen as contributing to a more focused educational environment, encouraging students to concentrate on learning rather than materialistic concerns.
- Joe Palumbo, Co-Principal at Newcomb Academy, emphasizes the message that uniforms send, reminding students that school is a place for education and personal growth.
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Community Support and High Approval Rates:
- The Long Beach Unified School District is recognized as the first large urban school district in the U.S. to mandate school uniforms.
- A high level of community support is evident, with over 80 percent of respondents in a 1994 survey expressing support for uniforms. A 1995 LBUSD parent survey indicates 91 percent agreement on the positive impact of uniforms on the school environment.
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Exemption Option for Parents:
- California law allows parents to request exemptions from school uniforms, with only about 2 percent of parents making such requests each year.
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Financial Assistance and Donations:
- Financial assistance is available for disadvantaged children from indigent families, with local organizations providing over $160,000 in uniforms.
- Operation School Bell and other organizations, including the Long Beach Education Foundation, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, churches, physicians, and teachers, contribute to uniform donations.
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Uniform Guidelines and Affordability:
- Long Beach Unified School District specifies the uniform requirements, including navy blue or black bottoms and white tops.
- The article emphasizes the affordability of generic uniforms, available from over 40 local retailers, with parents reporting that three uniforms cost about the same as one pair of designer label jeans.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive view of the positive impact of school uniforms on various aspects of the educational experience, encompassing safety, community support, financial considerations, and a focus on learning. The evidence presented by students, law enforcement, and educational leaders in Long Beach contributes to a compelling argument in favor of school uniform policies.
