School Uniforms in US Public Schools in Michigan - Research Proposal Example

? School Uniforms in US Public Schools in Michigan The topic of introducing school uniforms in schools has been in debate for several years.It can be affirmed in this similar concern that the educational institutions which pay utmost attention or focus upon introducing the policy of school uniforms are often viewed to be less experiencing different sorts of unlawful activities. With this concern, the prime objective of this research paper is to describe the implementation of effective policy concerning school uniform in Waterford, MI School District. The paper also provides an elaborate statement of the different critics supporting and going against the aforementioned policy. Moreover, a broad discussion relating to the correlation between student behavior and school uniform has also been discussed. Besides, valuable suggestions for improving the effectiveness of school uniform policies in MI school district and mitigating the problems have also been discussed. Discussion School uniforms are often used in every part of the world as a part which helps in maintaining a proper coordination amid the pupils or the learners by a greater level. The introduction as well as the execution of school uniforms can be duly considered to be a global method of upholding law and order within an educational setting. It can be apparently observed that the educational institutions implementing the policy of school uniforms are less involved in arising disputes amid their pupils (The Michigan Legislature, 1999). The topic of introducing school uniforms in the state of Michigan has been in discussion from many years. It has been stated that the state shares no concern in maintaining discipline in public schools resulting in poor academic performance and incident of violence within their respective campus. It can be affirmed from a broader outlook that school uniform associated policies are often designed to foster the performance of the students in an effectual manner. But in certain cases, it can also be viewed that the implementation of the policy did not proved to be quite effective. While certain critics consider adaptation of the school uniform policy to be a fundamental change in the educational environment, it is also criticized concerning its execution affecting right to freedom by a certain degree. Therefore, it is quite vital especially for the school officials to make effective decisions considering both the positive as well as the negative effects that may arise from employing such policies. It has been viewed that in the year 2000, around 21% of the schools encircling the region of the United States have adopted the policy of effectively using school uniforms amid their pupils. In relation to recognize the problems concerning school uniforms, it can be stated that the main reason behind the increase in adoption of school uniforms in the institutions around the country is owing to the reason of conducting violent activities by the youngsters resulting from stealing shoes or jackets of their classmates. Another critical problem which can be related with the adoption of school uniforms in various educational institutions is the prevalence of inequality between the individuals belonging to high and middle class society (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2013). It is worth mentioning that uniform is duly considered to be an important component of any academic institution. However, the main problem lies in the conduct of illegal activities that perform by the youngsters in terms of stealing various items like jackets, shoes and other expensive things of the students. In this similar context, with the increasing number of such unlawful activities or misconducts, both the Department of Education as well as the Department of Justice of the US introduced an effectual manual based on the execution of school uniforms. The main reason behind creating the manual is to deliver active support to the different educational institutions around the country to maintain secure as well as disciplined form of academic functionality by a certain degree (Sowell, 2012). Solutions On the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed that there lies a greater need of solving or mitigating the problems relating to the policy of school uniforms. This is owing to the reason of empowering social development and most significantly enhancing the culture by a considerable level. In this similar concern, certain effective solutions have been discussed below that may have the potential to lessen the aforesaid problems by a greater degree. Introduction of Electronic Identity System: With the increased level of globalization and the gaining momentum of internationalization, certain changes can be apparently observed in this contemporary world. It can be affirmed that with the invention of innovative technologies, everything can be done electronically and accurately. In an academic center like MI School District, wherein huge figure of pupils gets enrolled everyday to pursue various educational courses, it is quite important that proper code of conduct is maintained. In this regard, Introduction of an electronic identity system can be an effectual solution which might help the administrative department of the schools to maintain a proper along with a well- designed database. It can often be viewed that the outsiders/pupils of a particular academic institution enters into the campus of another school and conducts illegal activities. Therefore, introducing an electronic identify system within the school campus would help the administration to identify the pupils on the basis of identity protocol enabling to stop trespassers to enter into the campus (Orange County Public Schools, 2013; AOL Inc, 2013). Introducing Contemporary Form of School Uniform: It can be viewed that today’s generation is more attracted to wear contemporary form of clothing as these seems to be quite trendy as well as stylish. For an academic district like MI School, it is quite essential to follow an appropriate form of dress-code or uniform which would help representing them something different from other schools present in the district. Therefore, in order to overcome the aforesaid problems, the MI School District can provide contemporary/modern form of school uniform satisfying the needs of the students and also maintaining a proper decorum in the District at large (The George Washington University, 2007; AOL Inc, 2013). Argument In Support of the Above Mentioned Solution With the advent of pioneering technologies and increasing surveillance, it can be apparently observed that the crime rate has decreased by a considerable level throughout the globe. Therefore, in accordance with the example set by the modern industry, the aspect of introducing advanced technologies particularly in different academic centers would be quite useful. The increasing conduct of various illegal activities especially amid the teenagers within the background of educational setting has eventually revealed the need of surveillance in modern world. In this regard, broader application of electronic identity system in MI School district would be quite useful for its administrative department as this would help the department to track t different activities happening in and around the academic centers. Moreover, this would also help the department in detecting any unidentified personnel entering in the campus resulting in decreasing the conduct of unlawful activities by a greater degree. It can be affirmed that the introduction of contemporary school uniform would not only help the academic district to be unique, but would also help in maintaining a proper academic coordination. It has often been viewed that today’s teenager are attracted to wear modern form of clothing. Therefore, if the MI School District introduces a proper and an attractive form of school uniform in consultation with modern clothing designers, then it would it would help in preserving its academic decorum by a greater level (Orange County Public Schools, 2013; The George Washington University, 2007). Argument against the Above Mentioned Solutions With regard to the above mentioned solutions, various criticisms can be apparently viewed impacting the concerned subject matter by a greater level. In this similar concern, criticisms concerning the use of electronic identity system which could result in leaking vital information of the educational institutions can be observed. This criticism can obstruct or restrict the adoption along with the application of electronic identity system in solving the problems associated with school uniforms in the US public schools particularly in MI school district. Furthermore, relating to the case of contemporary form of clothing, the critics may reveal about the cost of producing the clothes making the procedure quite costly. This particular criticism concerning the application of modernized form of clothing might also obstruct in solving the problems concerning school uniforms in the US public schools in MI school district (Sowell, 2012). Positive or Negative Consequences that can be Avoided It is worth mentioning that for a new policy to be implemented in a large district school such as MI School District, it is essential that proper and well defined plan is followed before adopting and employing vital decisions. A few of the positive or the negative consequences that might arise in the initial period of the execution of the decisions and that can be avoided have been stated hereunder. Cost: For implementing a policy such as introducing modernized form of clothing, it is quite significant that quality as well as efficient cloth designers is hired in accordance with the new or the latest trends that follow by the youths in this present day context. Therefore, the cost of incurring such uniforms would be quite expensive in the initial period on behalf of the parents, but it can be considered that the clothes are purchased once and make their usage for number of years. So with this concern, the cost factor can be neglected by a certain degree. Critic’s Opinions: For any policy to be implemented in any field with the intention of making subsequent changes, it can be viewed that there exists criticisms supporting or going against it. Therefore, in this regard, it can be affirmed from a broader outlook that the factor of criticizing on adoption of modernized school uniforms can be avoided by a certain level for better development of the concerned subject matter (AOL Inc, 2013). References AOL Inc. (2013). Back-to-school uniforms: more popular, more fashionable. Retrieved from http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/18/back-to-school-fashion-uniforms-gain-popularity-and-coolness/ Orange County Public Schools. (2013). Code of student conduct. Retrieved from https://www.ocps.net/SiteCollectionDocuments/Docs%20Continually%20Updated/Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf Sowell, R. E. (2012). The relationship of school uniforms to student attendance, achievement and discipline. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1532&context=doctoral The Michigan Legislature. (1999). Rationale. Retrieved from http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/1999-2000/billanalysis/Senate/htm/1999-SFA-0211-A.htm The George Washington University. (2007). School policies and legal issues supporting safe schools. Retrieved from http://gwired.gwu.edu/hamfish/merlin-cgi/p/downloadFile/d/20708/n/ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. (2013). School uniforms. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-040899-143901/unrestricted/DISFINAL.pdf Read More