Improving Test Scores with School Uniforms

Friday 20th of January 2012 03:33:32 AM

Improving Test Scores with School Uniforms

The recent popularity of U.S. school uniforms across the country has influenced their acceptability. Students are likely to wear the uniforms without protest and parents are quick to see the advantages of school uniforms.

When school uniforms were first instituted in public schools there were huge public outcries. Principals and administrators stayed tough and the uniform policies prevailed. And now, in some cases a decade later, test results are showing a vast improvement.

How can test results relate to polo shirts? According to many principals once a student puts on a school uniform he feels an immediate sense of pride. This feeling carries over into all aspects of his life. He will take better care of his hygiene; he will stand up taller when walking down the hall, will be more likely to answer questions in class, and will perform better on exams.

The benefits of school uniforms and the effects of a simple polo shirt and pair of khakis on student performance have given rise to an abundance of theories and even more questions. The consensus seems to be that with polo shirts and uniforms students do not have to worry about current styles, or being the ‘it’ girl. There is no ‘dress to impress’ requirement. Once this obstacle is taken out of the equation it gives students more time and energy to focus on things that truly matter such as studying.

School administrators want to know the specific reasons for the success of these uniforms. Does the color of the polo shirt matter? Is it important to have the school mascot on the polo shirt? Ongoing studies are currently underway concerning just these issues. Yes, school uniforms have been around for decades but the changes they have brought to public school is making people revisit age-old beliefs about uniforms in general.