Proposal on

“Uniforms and Student Academic Performance”

Abstract

The main objective of doing this research was to find out if uniforms have a hand in affecting academic achievement, increasing self confidence and esteem and improving discipline among the students. The importance of dress code or uniforms in school has been argued about since so long. The research was done on the basis of quantitative data from three evaluation tests that analysed whether there was any effect on the academic achievements of the students during the compliance of proper dress code, that is, school uniforms.. Having proper dress codes in schools did positively affect the self esteem and the confidence of the students, but there was no significant affect on achievements in terms of academics of the students, found on having strict rules for dress codes in schools.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

Clothing and styles have become a very persuasive and convincing influence to the economics of the world. We know this because of the vast statistics belonging to the industry of clothes. Clothing is one of the most important characteristics of the physical appearance of humans and has a certain social importance to it. All the societies have various dress codes that are followed by their members. These dress codes might not necessarily be written but they are understood by the members of those societies.

People, all the way through history, have created their own sense of style and although they agree with fashion, but there are many people who think that fashion is just not appropriate. There are many female students who go to schools and colleges wearing those dresses that are not considered as modest and are thought to be provocative. Similarly, male students also wear low baggy jeans that show their tattoos and underclothes. So it is not really shocking to see many educators arguing over what constitutes suitable clothing in a school. The main question that they ask is whether these styles and fashions let the students to concentrate on their studies and their academic performance.

Some private and public schools believe that allowing the students to wear what they want, helps them in improving their confidence, which in turn, empowers them to accomplish their goals. So they are trying to come up with possible advantages and benefits that would help the students attain their goals. But this claim has been opposed very strongly. (Loesch, 1995).

Arguments on the topic of what constitutes appropriate dressing began in around 1950s.and this historical topic of debate has varying and conflicting conclusions. According to some of the researches, those students who stick to the dress codes tend to get higher scores on standard tests, give more respect to people who are above them or older to them, their confidence and self esteem is improved and they get lesser in trouble regarding discipline. Where as those researches that have findings against this claim, say that the effects of dress codes prove nothing and are open for doubt because of various other factors such as changing instructional ...