Classroom 2006 NSBA School Uniform Survey

 

Summary | Key | Survey | More Information | Download PDF Version

 

May 28, 2006

 

Summary

 

Classroom School Uniforms sent email to 5,692 National School Board Association members asking them to take our school uniform survey.  Overall, 290 members participated.

 

Compared to the Classroom 2005 NSBA School Uniform Survey, more schools are reporting using uniforms than last year (34%) and for the first time that Classroom can recall, we are able to provide schools across the country with quantitative data based on these member experiences.

 

85% of respondents have been school board members for more than a year, showing an understanding of the community and the issues facing their districts.  These members represented school districts in the Midwest and Northeast and a majority consider their district’s location to be in suburban areas.  92% of the NSBA membership stated what a student wears to school matters.  Parent involvement, reading at grade level, inappropriate clothing and bullying are some of the problems NSBA members are currently experiencing in their districts. 

 

Over 34% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy and 36% stated they are in discussions.  Last year, over 23% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy.  63% of the respondents stated that the uniform policy is district wide compared to 37% who stated that the policy was campus choice.  Of those responding districts with dress code or uniform policies, there continue to be more with mandatory uniform policies than with voluntary ones, and more districts are implementing school uniform programs that are district wide.  80% of those surveyed felt their program was successful.

 

NSBA members also stated that uniforms have helped improve attendance in their schools (36%), create a positive effect in the classroom (88%) and have helped improve their school’s self image (86%).  64% with a school uniform program experienced a decline in discipline referrals and 41% experienced a decline in gang activity or affiliation.  32% reported an improvement in their AYP scores by 1-10 points since implementing a dress code or uniform policy.

 

NSBA members would first contact other schools, look on the Internet and to the NSBA for information on ways to investigate and implement a solution.  Currently, uniform manufacturers are the only place for schools to obtain information regarding school uniform programs.  Classroom’s goal is to provide real time information to schools as they discuss implementing a uniform program.  Successful programs are first measured by staff observations and parent reaction and then on analytical data.  Availability and pricing are the two most important reasons given for choosing a specific school uniform manufacturer as a partner.  Uniforms are a cost saver but schools are still having fundraisers, donations and uniform closets for those in need. 

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Key Findings

 

·         85% of respondents have been school board members for more than a year; compared to 90% a year ago.  

·         Members from the Midwest seem to be most interested in school uniforms, followed by the Southeast, Northeast and Southwest.  These results mirror our survey last year.

·         Of the respondents participating in the survey, 43% represent suburban area schools followed by rural area schools (31%) and urban area schools (23%). 3% of those surveyed had all of these types schools in their districts.

·         92% of members stated that what a student wears to school matters.

·         Parent involvement (73%), reading at grade level (68%), inappropriate clothing (65%) and bullying (62%) are some of the problems these NSBA members are currently experiencing in their districts.

·         Over 34% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy and 36% stated they are in discussions.  Last year, over 23% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy.

·         71% of those surveyed who are not in uniforms felt uniforms are a cost saver over general apparel.

·                     As with last year’s survey, over 90% stated they do not utilize Title One funds 85% of respondents have been school board members for more than a year.  These members have experience working in the community and understand many of the issues their school districts and community are facing.

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How long have you been a school board member?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Less than 1 year

14.6%

41

 

 

More than 1 year

8.9%

25

 

 

2-3 years

11.7%

33

 

 

3-5 years

15.7%

44

 

 

More than 5 years

49.1%

138

Total Respondents  

281

 

 

Members from the Midwest seem to be the most interested in school uniforms, followed by the Southeast, Northeast and Southwest.  The Northwest seems to be the area of the US least interested in school uniforms or dress codes.  School Board officials from the Mid –Atlantic states and Canada also expressed interest in this topic.

 

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Where is your school located?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Northeast

14.6%

42

 

 

South East

17.4%

50

 

 

West

3.8%

11

 

 

Mid West

43.8%

126

 

 

North West

3.5%

10

 

 

South West

12.8%

37

 

Other (please specify)

4.2%

12

Total Respondents  

288

Most of the members who participated in the survey were in suburban area school districts.  This is especially interesting, as it continues to show that schools outside large metropolitan cities are looking at school uniform programs.  In addition, 3% of those respondents represented districts that had schools in all three types of areas.

 

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Is your school situated in a/an

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Rural area

31%

89

 

 

Suburban area

42.9%

123

 

 

Urban area

22.6%

65

 

Other (please specify)

3.5%

10

Total Respondents  

287

 

92% of members stated that what a student wears to school matters.  When asked why, participants responded that school uniforms eliminate peer pressure, the distractions of revealing clothes, and gang affiliations and they provide discipline, focus and better self-esteem.

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Does it really matter what students wear to school?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

91.6%

261

 

 

No

8.4%

24

Total Respondents  

285

 

When asked what problems their school or district is currently experiencing, parent involvement, reading at grade level, inappropriate clothing, discipline and bullying were among the most cited issues.

 

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Does your School or District have problems in any of these areas? Check all that apply.

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Attendance

50%

37

 

AYP Target Achievement

58.1%

43

 

Bullying

62.2%

46

 

Discipline

62.2%

46

 

Economic Class Division

48.6%

36

 

Fighting

44.6%

33

 

Gang Activity

40.5%

30

 

Grade Retention

28.4%

21

 

Inappropriate Clothing

64.9%

48

 

Math Comprehension

50%

37

 

Parent Involvement

73%

54

 

Reading at Grade Level

67.6%

50

Total Respondents  

74

 

34% of the respondents stated that they have a uniform or dress code policy enacted in their district.  This is a rise of over 10% from the 2005 Classroom School Uniform Survey. 

 

84% of those surveyed in school uniforms have mandatory programs with over 80% of those surveyed considering their program to be successful.  88% of respondents felt that school uniforms help create a positive effect in the classroom.

 

In addition, 63% of those in uniforms stated that their policy was district wide.  40% of uniform programs are in the elementary school, 30% in middle school, 11% in Pre-K and 5% in high schools.  This information reinforces the notion that the earlier students start wearing uniforms the easier compliance and program longevity will be.

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Does your school have a uniform or dress code policy?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes, the entire district is in uniform

15.9%

43

 

 

Yes, some schools are in uniform

18.1%

49

 

 

No, we are in discussions

35.9%

97

 

 

No, we are not interested

30%

81

Total Respondents  

270

 

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Have uniforms helped create a positive effect in the classroom?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

88%

66

 

 

No

12%

9

Total Respondents  

75

 

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Is your school uniform policy?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Voluntary

15.5%

11

 

 

Mandatory

84.5%

60

Total Respondents  

71

 

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Do you consider your school uniform program successful?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

80.3%

61

 

 

No

19.7%

15

Total Respondents  

 

76

Is your uniform policy district wide or campus choice

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

District wide

62.7%

52

 

 

Campus choice

37.3%

31

Total Respondents  

83

 

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If district wide, which schools use school uniforms?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

The entire district

59.6%

34

 

Pre-K

10.5%

6

 

Elementary schools

40.4%

23

 

Middle schools

29.8%

17

 

High schools

5.3%

3

Total Respondents  

57

 

41% of the schools or districts surveyed have been in school uniforms or dress codes for the period of one to five years. 39% have been using a uniforms or dress codes between five and ten years and 14% have been using programs for more than ten years. This information reinforces the longevity and effectiveness of such programs.

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How long has your school or district been using a dress code program?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Less than 1 year

6.3%

5

 

 

1-5 years

40.5%

32

 

 

5-10 years

39.2%

31

 

 

More than 10 years

13.9%

11

Total Respondents  

79

 

Typically schools are taking their time to discuss and implement a school uniform policy with their school and community. Since last year’s survey, we can conclude that schools are taking more time to educate the community about the program.

 

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How long did it take your school to look at and implement a school uniform policy?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

6 months

24.3%

17

 

 

1-2 years

61.4%

43

 

 

Over 3 years

14.3%

10

Total Respondents  

70

 

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How long did your school district take to educate the community on your program?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Less than 1 month

4.1%

3

 

1-3 months

17.8%

13

 

3-6 months

20.5%

15

 

6-12 months

31.5%

23

 

1 year

15.1%

11

 

Other (please specify)

12.3%

9

Total Respondents  

73

 

Reduction of peer pressure and disciplinary issues, prevention of gang affiliation and enhancement of school image and the positive effect in the classroom are cited as the main benefits of implementing a school uniform program.

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What are the benefits you look for using school uniforms? Check all that apply.

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Enhance our school’s image

76.6%

59

 

Positive effect in the classroom

75.3%

58

 

Reduce Peer Pressure

92.2%

71

 

Boost Morale

53.2%

41

 

Stay focused

72.7%

56

 

Prevent gang affiliation

79.2%

61

 

Improve attendance

26%

20

 

Improve AYP scores

28.6%

22

 

Reduce disciplinary issues

76.6%

59

Total Respondents  

77

 

36% of respondents stated that uniforms have helped improve attendance in their schools. Of those who saw improvement, the majority stated the improvement was between 1-10%.. 13% of those surveyed stated attendance improved between 10-50%.

 

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Have uniforms helped improve attendance? If so, by about how much?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

No Change

60.9%

39

 

 

1-10%

23.4%

15

 

 

10%-25%

7.8%

5

 

 

25%-50%

4.7%

3

 

 

50% +

3.1%

2

Total Respondents  

64

 

87% of those surveyed felt uniforms have improved their school’s self image.

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Do you feel uniforms have helped improve your school's self image?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

86.7%

65

 

 

No

13.3%

10

Total Respondents  

75

 

94% of schools evaluate the effectiveness of the program based on observations of the principal and key staff.  74% involve the parents and 60% involve the students. The use of data such as discipline logs (58%), attendance records (55%), AYP scores (42%), and test scores (48%) are also used.

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What measures does your school or district have in place to evaluate if the program is working? Check all that apply.

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Principal and staff observations

93.7%

74

 

Parent comments

74.7%

59

 

Teacher or school staff comments

84.8%

67

 

Student comments

59.5%

47

 

Discipline logs

58.2%

46

 

Attendance records

55.7%

44

 

AYP scores

41.8%

33

 

Test scores

48.1%

38

Total Respondents  

79

 

64% of NSBA members using school uniforms in their schools have seen a decline in discipline referrals in their schools.  The majority of those responding cited a decline of 10-25%.

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Have you seen a decline in discipline referrals in schools using uniforms? If so, by about how much?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

No Change

35.9%

23

 

 

1-10%

25%

16

 

 

10%-25%

28.1%

18

 

 

25%-50%

10.9%

7

 

 

50%+

0%

0

Total Respondents  

64

 

41% of those surveyed stated a decline in gang activity or affiliation in their schools. 46% felt this question was not applicable to their school district.

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Have you seen a decline in gang activity or affiliation in schools using uniforms?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

40.8%

29

 

 

No

12.7%

9

 

 

N/A

46.5%

33

Total Respondents  

71

 

40% of NSBA members surveyed stated their AYP scores improved between 1 and 50 points since implementing a dress code or school uniform policy. The majority of these cited a rise between 1-10 points.

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Have your AYP scores improved since implementing a dress code or uniform policy? If so, by how many points?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

No Change

60.3%

38

 

 

1-10

31.7%

20

 

 

11-25

6.3%

4

 

 

26-50

1.6%

1

 

 

50+

0%

0

Total Respondents  

63

 

51% of those surveyed have not seen improved parent participation since implementing a school uniform or dress code program. This information is surprising as parent involvement and commitment is needed when discussing a school uniform program.

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Is your school seeing improved parent participation since implementing your school uniform or dress code program?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

48.5%

32

 

 

No

51.5%

34

Total Respondents  

66

 

87% of those surveyed felt their teachers supported their school uniform program. Only 1% of those surveyed felt their teachers do not support such a program in their school or district.

 

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How do teachers feel about the school uniform program?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Support strongly

30.8%

24

 

 

Support

56.4%

44

 

 

Neutral

11.5%

9

 

 

Do not support

1.3%

1

Total Respondents  

78

 

Price, comfort, availability of sizes and availability in their community rank highest when considering a school uniform partner.  The happier parents are with the ease of finding uniforms, the easier the program will be to implement. Ironically, when asked if a uniform manufacturer is important to a program’s success, 66% of those surveyed felt a school uniform manufacturer or retailer was not important.

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What features did your school consider important when considering a school uniform?

 

Very Important

Important

Neutral

Somewhat Important

Not Important

N/A

Response Average

Availability of sizes

58% (40)

26% (18)

1% (1)

1% (1)

6% (4)

7% (5)

1.61

Price

67% (49)

18% (13)

1% (1)

3% (2)

7% (5)

4% (3)

1.59

Comfort and fit

43% (29)

37% (25)

7% (5)

1% (1)

4% (3)

6% (4)

1.79

Variety of styles

25% (17)

21% (14)

19% (13)

9% (6)

19% (13)

7% (5)

2.75

Made in the USA

8% (5)

16% (10)

23% (15)

6% (4)

20% (13)

27% (17)

3.21

Choice of colors

33% (23)

36% (25)

4% (3)

4% (3)

14% (10)

9% (6)

2.25

Stain resistant materials

19% (13)

41% (28)

12% (8)

3% (2)

13% (9)

12% (8)

2.43

Available in local stores

59% (43)

22% (16)

3% (2)

4% (3)

7% (5)

5% (4)

1.71

Available on the internet

2% (1)

8% (5)

24% (15)

6% (4)

31% (19)

29% (18)

3.80

Total Respondents  

72

 

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Is a school uniform manufacturer or retailer important to your program's success?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

34.2%

25

 

 

No

65.8%

48

Total Respondents  

73

 

Over 81% of those who took the survey with uniforms in their school agreed that school uniforms do save parents money.  Those respondents not in uniforms agreed that school uniforms were a cost saver over general apparel (72%).  However, when asked why their school was not considering uniforms. 24% cited price of uniforms as a factor.

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Do the parents in your school find school uniforms a cost saver over general apparel?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

 

Yes

81.6%

62

 

 

No

18.4%

14

Total Respondents  

76

 

Donations, uniform closets and fundraisers are the main ways schools help those who cannot afford school uniforms. 

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What does your school do to provide for families who cannot afford school uniforms? Check all that apply.

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Fundraisers

23.1%

18

 

Uniform closets

66.7%

52

 

Donations

73.1%

57

 

Assistance League’s Operation School Bell

3.8%

3

 

General fund support

20.5%

16

Total Respondents  

78

 

When asked why their school would mot consider uniforms 47% of those surveyed responded that parents would object. 37% stated that their school does not have problems uniforms would resolve. However, if parents were interested in school uniforms 91% stated their district would consider such a policy.

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Why is your school not considering school uniforms?

 

 

Response Percent

Response Total

 

Tried, no success

6.3%

9

 

Small school or district