Questions About School Uniforms
An increasing number of schools in the United States are adopting a school uniform policy. Though the idea of uniforms seems relatively simple, there are several factors to consider when starting a uniform program. Parents, educators, and lawmakers will all have some basic questions to ask and answer about the uniform program.
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Cost
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The cost of uniforms will be one of the first questions from parents. They will want to know whether the uniform program will cost them more money to clothe their children. A 2005 study by the NPD Group, a consumer and retail market research organization, found that on average, parents purchasing uniforms for their children's school clothes spent almost half the money that parents purchasing regular clothes spent. Parents will also want to know how much the uniforms themselves will cost. This cost will depend on the type of uniforms chosen.
Uniform Subsidies
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A uniform program can cause financial hardship for some families and they may wonder how they will pay for the uniforms. Some schools and school boards have set up subsidies to help these families.
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Style
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A uniform program can consist of a dress code requiring students to wear specific colors and/or styles of clothing to school (polo shirt or T-shirt, black pants or beige pants). The program can also be stricter and require students to wear specific items of clothing from a preselected supplier.
Uniform Colors
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Common uniform colors are navy blue or black bottoms and white tops. Many schools also incorporate their school colors into the uniforms.
Uniform Wardrobe
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The 2005 school uniform study conducted by the NPD Group found that on average, parents had to purchase four tops, four bottoms, four pairs of socks or tights, and one accessory for a child's school uniform wardrobe.
Mandatory or Voluntary
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Some schools and school boards have adopted voluntary uniform programs or have included an opt-out provision. These exist to prevent legal challenges to the uniform program and possible disruption caused by students and parents who do not want to adhere to the uniform policy. The 2005 NPD school uniform study found that 25 percent of uniform programs are voluntary and 75 percent are mandatory.
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References
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