Do school uniforms improve grades?
Research shows that when schools implement a uniform policy, it improves grades, while it reduces tardiness, skipped classes and suspensions. One study showed that 70% of principals believed that mandated school uniforms reduced disciplinary problems at their schools.
According to a 2013 study, researchers found that students who wear uniforms to school saw a decrease in tardiness and an increase in academic focus.
According to school-reported statistics and the School Administrator, the mandate of uniforms on campuses has reduced tardiness, skipped classes, suspensions, and discipline referrals among students. In addition, with the visual uniformity present across all students, the instance of school pride has increased.
The results do not suggest any significant association between school uniform policies and achievement.
School uniforms were not linked to any differences in bullying or social anxiety in the children. But those who had to wear uniforms reported lower levels of school belonging than did those who attended schools with no uniform requirements.
The vast majority — 90 percent of students — reported that they disliked wearing uniforms. However, other data showed more nuanced results. For instance, 54 percent of students agreed that they still had their identity while wearing a uniform, and 50 percent agreed that uniforms saved their families money.
Although 90 percent of the students indicated they did not like wearing uniforms, various benefits to wearing uniforms were reported, including decreases in discipline, gang involvement and bullying; and increases in safety, ease of going to school, confidence and self-esteem.
A study conducted by Education Partnership Incorporated found that while some researchers reported a positive correlation between stricter dress codes and academic achievements, others have found no correlation between the two.
School uniforms can help reduce bullying, and they help students feel like they fit in more and feel like they are part of a team. They help make it harder to identify those who would be an easy target for a bully, and they make it easier for students to feel like they belong at the school.
Uniforms do not improve academics, behavioral and social outcomes, or reduce discrimination or crime, according to many educators and experts. Studies do not report any improvements in these areas. In fact, uniforms may even make rebellious students worse.
What percentage of schools use uniforms?
How many public schools require school uniforms? Response: In the 2017–18 school year, 20 percent of public schools required that students wear uniforms.
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.
A study conducted by Education Partnership Incorporated found that while some researchers reported a positive correlation between stricter dress codes and academic achievements, others have found no correlation between the two.
