Issue Overview: Should students have to wear school uniforms?

What is one reason supporters give for why students should wear uniforms?

• Uniforms limit students' freedom.

• Uniforms make students behave worse.

• Uniforms help students express themselves.

• Uniforms create a "level playing field" for students

Where did school uniforms first begin?

• France

• England

• Germany

• United States

What was one reason school officials in Maryland and Washington, D.C. supported uniforms?

• Students had a better attitude and got into less trouble.

• Students were able to express themselves more freely.

• Students were more interested in wearing expensive designer clothing.

• Students' families spent more money on clothes.

What was the main argument opponents of school uniforms used based on the 1969 Supreme Court case?

• Wearing "sagging pants" is a form of freedom of expression.

• Uniforms are required by state law.

• Students have a right to choose their own clothing.

• Schools can limit students' freedom of expression.

Which sentence BEST summarizes the point of view of people who support wearing uniforms in public schools?

• School uniforms let students focus on learning and feel safe in school by taking away the competition over who has nicer clothing.

• School uniforms allow students to express themselves without focusing on who has nicer clothing and more money.

• School uniforms make students behave better because they are less focused on what others are wearing and more focused on their learning.

• School uniforms make students unable to express themselves and emphasize the differences between rich and poor students.

Based on information in the section "U.S. Uniform Statistics", which of these statements is TRUE?

• Students in poor areas want to wear uniforms to school so that they don't have to worry about their clothing.

• The Supreme Court says that students can't be told to wear uniforms.

• Students in cities are more likely to be required to wear uniforms than students in the suburbs.

• Schools across the country are making students wear uniforms because it has been shown to improve behavior.

Why does the author include information about the Supreme Court and about the mayor of New York City?

• to show that politicians care what students wear to school

• to show that people in power will fight against each other to determine what students can wear to school

• to show that students in all schools are allowed to wear what they want

• to show that people at all levels have different opinions about what students should wear to school.

Which sentence from the article BEST supports the idea that more public schools are requiring students to wear uniforms?

• Public school students are more likely to wear uniforms in very poor areas than in wealthy ones.

• In 1987, students at some public schools in Maryland and Washington, D.C., began wearing uniforms.

• Soon the movement spread to other states, generally in city schools with poorer students

• In 2000, a student was suspended for refusing to wear a school uniform.