Long Beach Unified School District Uniform Initiative: A Prevention-Intervention Strategy for Urban Schools, The

Journal of Negro Education, The, Fall 2003 by Lopez, Rebecca A

Given the effectiveness of the uniform policy as reported in this evaluation, there are future plans to expand the uniform policy to other levels of education in the LBUSD. For example, several high schools have adopted policies of mandatory uniforms with minor compliance problems and with successful, preliminary outcomes. A contributing factor to the apparent success may be that many of the elementary and middle school students that feed into high schools have already experienced schooling with mandatory uniforms. Another contributing factor may be that parents in Long Beach continue to show overwhelming support for the initiative and more vocal parents advocate for expansion of the uniform policy to remaining high schools. Results of the most recent survey of parents by LBUSD showed 91% believed school uniforms improved the school environment (LBUSD, 2002). Further, the most recent data show LBUSD schools met or exceeded goals for student academic growth (LBUSD, 2003).

The use of uniforms in public schools also appears to be growing nationally. For example, 958 school principals responded to a variety of questions in a survey related to mandatory uniform policies (NAESP, 1998). The majority (or approximately 87%) had no uniform policy, although 15% were in the discussion phase of policymaking. Interestingly, 52% of the schools with no uniform policy responded that the issue had not been officially raised; while 32% stated that their current dress code polices met the school's needs without resorting to mandatory uniform policies (NAESP, 1998). With few major improvements in crime and delinquency, particularly in our urban communities, it is likely that more student, school, family, and community stakeholders may view school uniforms as one intervention, within their power to implement and enforce-an effective strategy to resolve several challenges in creating a safe climate for students to achieve academically and socially. At the same time, each school district and stakeholders may decide that school uniforms are not needed in their particular school and community context. However, if school uniforms are implemented in a given school, perhaps, sacrificing the objections of a few students may be for the greater good. The LBUSD has instituted a uniform policy and program that has made a difference in students' lives. It remains to be seen if Long Beach schools can remain safe harbors amidst the increasing violence and other social problems that surround our children today.

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