School uniforms and dress codes have become a very controversial issue in schools. Students who choose not to follow the rules may be punished severely, even expelled. There are mainly two points of view to this controversy, the argument for and the argument against dress codes and uniforms.
 

Supporters of dress codes and uniforms seem to have many reasons for support, but there are other reasons such as: classroom behavior, student performance, facilitate school pride, and even improve school attendance. Though many people think buying school uniforms will be more expensive, it's a proven fact that they cost less.

Though reasons for school dress codes and uniforms seem great, there are many arguments against them. These arguments state that it violates First Amendment rights to prohibit freedom of expression. It also violates the Fourteenth Amendment that allows a student to control his or her appearance. They also believe that it could interfere in the long run with students' natural behavior to experiment with different identities.
 

Some students seem to like dress codes or uniforms while others do not. According to Gilbert, school dress codes are challenged most often by students and parents because they violate free speech under the First Amendment.
 

School dress codes across the United States are either very lenient or very strict and some have even gone to uniforms. The dress code has to follow certain laws and amendments. The dress code that the Board of Education makes will help the safety aspect of the school or schools. When a school principal was interviewed, he highly supported the dress code and he wants to strictly enforce it.
 

If the students follow one hundred percent of the dress code, the schools should be safer, say researchers. The school administration offers a dress code for several different reasons. The dress codes: promote a more effective climate for learning, create opportunities for self-expression, increase safety and security, foster school unity and pride, eliminate "label competition", ensure modest dress, simplify dressing, and minimize cost to parents. One of the most important reasons for the dress code is safety. With all the gangs and gang colors, there has to be a set dress code.
 

The Santa Barbara Board of Education for Elementary and high school districts considered enacting a new, stricter dress code on July 30, 1997 (Tentler 2). The code, being very strict, prohibited "religious pride" articles from being worn. "This was objected to and removed from the proposed code because it 'fringes (sic) on first amendment rights.' The Board placed the new dress code on the agenda for its August meeting." The School Board held the meeting on August 27, 1997. Many students and parents went to this meeting intending to reject the new dress code. A petition with nearly one hundred signatures of opposing students and parents was given to the school board, attained in two days (2,3). "The Board members and staff also mentioned that they have also received many letters and phone calls objecting to the new dress code (Tentler 3)."
 

A survey was taken at CCHS dealing with dress codes (Crossvilloneonline 1). Of the 1,536 students surveyed, 44 were in favor of the present dress code and 43 said it made them feel safer while at school. On the other hand, 616 students thought the appearance of themselves and other students had improved from the previous year, and 712 were in favor of a modified dress code. One hundred and four of the students were in favor of a true uniform.

School uniforms and dress codes continue to be debated by school officials, parents, and students. Though school safety seems to have increased you can't ignore the fact it violates students rights. This controversy may go on forever, but it is your decision for which side to choose.