CCISD High School Uniforms

My name is Nicole Marino and I am a sophomore at King High School. This petition is on behalf of those who, like myself, oppose uniforms as the dress code for CCISD high schools. Your stated purposes for a dress code were to teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority. We believe, however, that uniforms are no more effective in accomplishing these objectives than our previous dress code and, if anything, counteract them, which is supported by evidence in this petition.

Firstly, the belief that if students are dressed alike they will feel equal is unrealistic. It is essential that students learn to respect diversity among their peers, particularly in a country as dynamic as the United States. Likewise, there will always be students who wear Ralph Lauren polo shirts and students who wear Wal-Mart polo shirts. Nothing is truly equal in this world and to pretend otherwise is wishful thinking.

Secondly, we are unique individuals transitioning from adolescence to adulthood and its subsequent responsibilities. As such, we require a certain amount of freedom in order to break from the conformity of childhood, explore our individuality, and express it so that we may contribute our unique talents to the world. We express our interests, personalities, and tastes as well as identify potential friends through our appearance, while learning to appreciate differences in the aforementioned in those around us. Besides, if we are not granted enough freedom and responsibility at this age to choose something as simple as our own dress, where will that leave us in the world? After all, we will soon be among you in electing our state and national representatives.

As for preventing disruption, this petition is proof in itself that the uniforms are incapable of preventing disruption of any sort, if not create it in the first place. Furthermore, to assume that uniforms will prevent dress code violations in such a large student mass is ridiculous. If anything, an unreasonably strict dress code will most likely result in more violations.

The most important issue, however, is whether or not uniforms prevent safety hazards. Harvard reports have claimed that while dress codes have been proven to reduce violence and crime in schools there has been little scientific study on the effectiveness of uniforms in particular. Notre Dames Department of Sociology likewise reported in 1998 on their studies of tenth graders wearing uniforms that the uniforms showed no direct effect on substance abuse, behavioral problems, or attendance. Uniforms did, however, prove to have a negative effect on the academic achievements of pro-school students.

Overall, there is no miracle cure for violence and crime in schools, and uniforms are not the answer. In order for uniforms to effectively change student behavior, the students themselves must first support the uniforms. Those who want to inflict harm on others will always find a reason to do so. In the meantime, is it fair to punish and restrict everyone for the actions of a few?


The issue at hand is not whether we should have a dress code. Rather, it is whether we should have a dress code as oppressive as uniforms, and we believe not. Please consider this petition with all earnest and fairness.