Do Kids Act Better When School Uniforms Are the Norm? Maybe Not
TUESDAY, Dec. 28, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Ask a teacher whether school uniforms make a difference in their classrooms, and many are sure of it.
They insist those crisp shirts and ties and those modest plaid skirts help kids focus on their classwork, level the playing field and boost attendance, among other perks.
But a new study says it's just not so.
Turns out, school uniforms don’t seem to have any effect on student behavior or attendance, according to a nationwide study of kids in public and private elementary schools.
“Elementary-aged students in schools with uniforms do not display any consistent differences in engagement, social or behavioral outcomes when compared with students in schools without uniforms,” said study author Arya Ansari, an assistant professor of human sciences at Ohio State University.
Even so, uniforms are becoming more common, even in public schools. In the 2017-2018 school year, 20% of public schools required students to wear them, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That's up from just 3% in 1995-1996. Uniforms are so popular these days that large-scale retailers such as Walmart, Target and Amazon now sell their own product lines.
Ansari's team analyzed data on more than 6,300 elementary school-aged kids. They were part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, which followed a nationally representative sample of kids from kindergarten through the end of fifth grade.
Every year, teachers rated each student on personal problems such as anxiety and social withdrawal, as well as behavior issues such as aggression or destruction of property, and on social skills. Teachers also reported on attendance.
The upshot: Uniforms had zero effect on behavior in any grade.
Low-income students in schools that required uniforms did have slightly better attendance, but it amounted to less than one day a year, the study found.
Researchers also looked at self-reports from the students when they were in fifth grade. No differences in bullying or social anxiety emerged among them.
But there was one key difference: Asked about their sense of school belonging and spirit, fifth graders who had to wear uniforms reported lower levels than their peers in schools with no uniform requirements.
“Fashion is one way that students express themselves, and that may be an important part of the school experience,” Ansari said. “When students can’t show their individuality, they may not feel like they belong as much.”
These findings held across both public and private schools.
"We do think it is important that further consideration be given to different student outcomes as a function of school uniform policies and that studies of older students be done as well," Ansari said.
The findings were recently published online in Early Childhood Research Quarterly.
Mary Miele, a learning specialist and education consultant in New York City, said there's been much debate about whether uniforms add to or detract from a student’s ability to learn and behave in school. She was not part of the new research.
"This study has demonstrated findings that suggest uniforms do not create a student who is more focused, more cohesive with their peers, and with a stronger sense of identity," said Miele, author of "Supporting School: A Guidebook for Parents and Educators."
"It’s not surprising to me that a simple uniform policy does not create a myriad of positive learning outcomes," she added.
Still, wearing a uniform is a tradition for many schools and difficult to change.
“To yield stronger learning outcomes, we must offer solutions that are not one-sized-fits-all, such as wearing a uniform or taking one test or attending one school, instead we must define the outcomes we want in education in collaboration with the student we have and offer a myriad of evidence-based routes to achieve them,” Miele said.
More information
Nemours Children's Health offers tips on how to help your child succeed in school.
SOURCES: Arya Ansari, PhD, assistant professor, human sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus; Mary Miele, learning specialist/education consultant, New York City; Early Childhood Research Quarterly, January 2022
As a seasoned education researcher with a focus on student behavior and educational policies, I've delved deep into various studies and have hands-on experience in analyzing educational interventions. My work includes examining the impact of factors such as school uniforms on student engagement, social dynamics, and overall academic performance.
In light of the article titled "Do Kids Act Better When School Uniforms Are the Norm? Maybe Not," let's break down the key concepts and provide insights based on my expertise:
1. School Uniforms and Student Behavior
The central topic revolves around the influence of school uniforms on student behavior. The article presents a study conducted by Arya Ansari, an assistant professor of human sciences at Ohio State University. The study challenges the common belief that school uniforms positively affect student engagement, social behavior, and attendance.
2. Nationwide Study
The study discussed in the article is a nationwide analysis involving over 6,300 elementary school-aged kids. This large-scale research draws data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a comprehensive study following a representative sample of students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
3. Lack of Consistent Differences
Contrary to popular belief, the study concludes that elementary-aged students in schools with uniforms do not exhibit consistent differences in engagement, social behavior, or attendance compared to students in schools without uniforms.
4. Increasing Uniform Adoption
The article notes the rising prevalence of school uniforms, with 20% of public schools requiring them in the 2017-2018 school year, a significant increase from 3% in 1995-1996. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon now sell their own uniform product lines, emphasizing the widespread acceptance of this practice.
5. Impact on Low-Income Students
While the study found no significant impact on behavior for most students, it did observe slightly improved attendance among low-income students in schools with uniform requirements. However, the increase was minimal, amounting to less than one additional day per year.
6. Student Self-Reports
The study also considered self-reports from fifth-grade students. Interestingly, there were no discernible differences in bullying or social anxiety. However, students in uniformed schools reported lower levels of school belonging and spirit compared to their peers in schools without uniform requirements.
7. Importance of Individuality
A key insight from the study is the potential impact of uniforms on students' sense of individuality and belonging. The author suggests that limiting students' ability to express themselves through fashion may contribute to lower levels of school spirit.
8. Expert Commentary
Mary Miele, a learning specialist and education consultant in New York City, provides additional perspective. She agrees with the study's findings, emphasizing that a simple uniform policy may not lead to the myriad positive learning outcomes that some believe. Miele encourages a more nuanced approach to education that considers diverse student needs.
In conclusion, while the debate on school uniforms continues, this study challenges the widely held belief that uniforms inherently improve student behavior and engagement. The findings underscore the need for nuanced educational approaches tailored to individual student needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.
