School Uniforms

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits


• Teacher Page

Process

Each group has four members. At times you will split into pairs to research. These pairs do not have to be the same each time. You will be evaluated on how well you collaborate with your group and contribute to the project. See the Collaborative Work Skills rubric.

1. As a group, brainstorm the pros/cons of a school uniform.

Include questions people from one side would have for the other side. To help you organize your brainstorming, you might use a table like the one below:

2. Once you have a well-developed list, split the pros from the cons to start your research.

Two members will research the pro-uniforms stance and the other two members will research the anti-uniforms stance. It is important to understand both sides, since your audience will be a mixture.  Be sure to include questions about your side of the issue to answer.

3. Research:

Each pair must find substantial support for their side of the issue. This is not just a collection of opinions. Use the provided links to help you locate support from research and studies. 

*Remember, even if you don't agree with this stance, you are looking at this from someone else's perspective so you can develop a compromise that will satisfy both sides.*

School Uniform Adoption Guidelines:

• The US Department of Education has a Manual on School Uniforms which provides reasons for uniforms, guidelines for school uniform policies, and examples of school uniform policies that have varying degrees of policies.

  
  
   

In Favor of Uniforms:

•  South Bend Community School Corporation
• This link will take you to a list of the school uniforms for each school. Look at the details; how restricting are the policies?
• For more about the process this corporation went through, go to their homepage and search for school uniforms.
• For the local impact of the policy change, read this article. This may also give you some ideas for your clothing research (step 6).
  
  
• This article in Logansport's Pharos Tribune discusses the pilot program for this school year, which was decided to be tried only at Fairview Elementary School.
  
  
• This PBS School Uniforms article shares information concerning New York City schools adopting school uniforms. Includes student comments, President Clinton's support, a brief history, and even information about Japanese school uniforms.

Against Uniforms:

• Peter Houghton has developed a website dedicated to the school uniform debate and his stance. This site will give you some good ideas to consider while you are searching for valid support against uniforms. Keep in mind, this is someone's opinion.
  
  
• This New York Times article discusses reasons schools have abandoned school uniforms.
  
  
• "Reviewing School Uniforms" discusses the flaws of the Long Beach, California study and cites other reasons against uniforms.
  

Both Sides Presented:

• This page by Educator's Reference Desk has several useful links concerning school uniforms, including the purpose behind some uniform policies.
  

• "Do Uniforms Make Schools Better?" discusses both sides of the issue and reasons this debate is still a hot topic.

• This wiki at Love To Know presents both sides of the school uniform debate.
  

• First Amendment Center covers many of the issues of the school uniform debate. This site discusses how court cases are decided and has links to several such cases.

• Go to Inspire and search one or more of the following databases:
• Academic Search Premier
• MAS Ultra
• MasterFILE Premier
• Middle Search Plus
  
  

TIP: Be sure to search for school uniforms, not just uniforms. (Many people wear uniforms.) 

 *If you've never used an EBSCOhost database before, go to Middle Search Plus Database Guide for tips. This guide will help you use any of the databases listed above, since they all have the same search page.

*You can search all of the databases at once by checking the boxes next to the name of each database and typing your search words in the box at the top.

 

 

This will even give you a topics list to narrow your results. (see below)

4. Prepare for Group Meeting:

Once your pair has gathered plenty of information supporting your side of the issue, write a 2-3 page report of your findings. Remember to cite your sources to show they are credible. Use this concept map to help you organize your paper. Be sure to check the Persuasive Essay Rubric to see how your paper will be evaluated.

5. Group Meeting:

A. Share your papers with the other members of your group.

B. Discuss your findings and challenges you will face to help the two sides compromise on a school dress code/uniform. Use a Venn Diagram to look for commonalities and differences. 

C. Brainstorm ideas for specific clothing that would satisfy people on both sides of the issue. (Don't forget to include clothing for warmer months and colder months.)  Consider using a similar uniform to those listed for South Bend schools.  Narrow your choices to a few choices, then brainstorm a list of stores/vendors you will use for price comparison. Also, search online to find school uniform vendors (Try Dogpile which searches Google, Yahoo, LiveSearch, and Ask).

6. Clothing Research

Split into two pairs. One pair will research the costs of your school uniform ideas while the other group will research cost of current clothing.

Current Clothing:

Using popular/common brands at your school, calculate the cost for one week of outfits during warmer months and one week of outfits during colder months. Use the online stores to help you calculate the costs for each outfit.

 

School Uniforms:

Using your selected clothing for school dress, research the costs of one week's worth of clothes for warmer and colder months. Keep in mind, some of your clothes could be worn at both times of the year, so don't count them twice! Be sure to check several stores/vendors to find an average price for each item.

7. Compare clothing research as group.

What did you find out about costs for uniforms versus current clothing? How will this help you present your ideas to the school board, administrators, teachers, and parents?

8. Create your presentation.

Keeping your audience in mind (school board, administrators, teachers, parents), create a presentation using the online collaboration tool GoogleDocs. Don't forget to add your teacher as a collaborator.

First, plan your presentation. You might use the persuasive concept map again or this webbing tool to help you organize your ideas.

Your group presentation must include:

• information about both sides (pros/cons) of school uniforms
  
• your suggested compromise / school clothes and reasons for this choice
• clothing costs research
  

Each person in your group will assist with editing the text and the overall presentation, but also have another leadership role:

• Designer (chooses the best color scheme, layout, transitions, font, etc. for presentation)

• Graphic Artist (Finds graphics/pictures that enhance the presentation and help support your choices)

• Director (Makes sure the order of the presentation is well-organized and has smooth transitions from topic to topic)

• Chief Editor (checks for proper citation, main writer of text, helps others with their tasks if needed)

Once you have completed your presentation, divide the presentation into sections for each person to present. If you are more passionate about a particular section, be sure to present that material. It will be an advantage for your overall group of each person is matched to his/her area of expertise or passion. Be sure to practice your part several times on your own and with your group.Have your group members evaluate you using the Individual Presentation Rubric, so you can work on improving your presentation.

9. Presentation Day

Each group will present to the entire class. The principals will also be present, so dress the part! Be prepared to answer questions from the class and/or administrators.