Editorial: Roosevelt High's uniform approach
The dress code, which consists of primarily a combination of Khaki shorts, pants, or skirts, along with royal blue or white shirts, is in its first year. Roosevelt High School is the first Long Island public school to institute such a policy and hopes to serve as a model for the surrounding schools. (Sept. 6, 2012) Credit: Johnny Milano
There are many good lessons to be taught in requiring students to wear uniforms. The Roosevelt school district, which has required elementary students to conform to a uniform dress code, is breaking new ground by extending the policy to its high schoolers.
At a time when informality and sexuality rule, it's important to let students know that appropriate dress changes from place to place and occasion to occasion. There is a difference between the beach and the classroom.
Uniforms eliminate the pressure to buy costly, trendy items and reduce social and economic differences. There's no evidence that uniforms improve grades, but studies show conformity improves attendance, school pride and discipline, all keys to academic success. For too long, Roosevelt High School has lagged, but now it's leading the way.
