Editorial: School uniforms are worth a try

Monday, July 15, 2002 | 8:43 a.m.

It seems that for every supporter of mandatory school uniforms there is a detractor. Supporters give multiple reasons why uniforms will guide a student's focus away from fashion statements and toward the statements in their lesson books. Detractors give multiple reasons why uniforms are merely packaging that disguise core problems. There is a reason for such spirited debate -- school uniforms, common in other parts of the world, are becoming more common in American schools.

That's why the Clark County School Board was correct last week to give the green light to a trial program that will begin this fall. Students at three Henderson elementary schools will be required to wear uniforms. After six months the School Board will evaluate the program and determine whether there have been enough positive changes to continue it and perhaps expand the policy to other schools and grade levels.

Included among the supporters of school uniforms are many people in perhaps the best position to really know -- school principals. As part of a larger survey, the National Association of Elementary School Principals recently polled 95 of their members who oversee schools with uniform policies. The principals reported positive gains in classroom discipline, student safety, school spirit and peer pressure.

We favor the School Board's trial program because with the gains noted by the 95 principals, corresponding gains in learning are sure to follow.