In 1999, twelve percent of public elementary schools in the United States required students to wear uniforms. Just three years later, the amount was almost double that.
A study of six big-city Ohio public schools showed students who were required to wear uniforms had improved graduation, behavior and attendance rates. Academic performance was unchanged.
Some high schools in Texas have also joined in the movement. Yet studies find mixed results from requiring uniforms. And some schools have turned away from such policies.
Supporters believe dressing the same creates a better learning environment and safer schools. The school district in Long Beach, California, was the first in the country to require uniforms in all elementary and middle schools. The example helped build national interest in uniforms as a way to deal with school violence and improve learning.
Findings in Long Beach suggested that the policy resulted in fewer behavior problems and better attendance. But researcher Viktoria, who has looked at those findings, says they were based only on opinions about the effects of uniforms.
She says other steps taken at the same time to improve schools in Long Beach and statewide could have influenced the findings. The district increased punishments for misbehavior. And California passed a law to reduce class sizes.
In Florida, for example, researcher Sharon found that uniforms seemed to improve behavior and reduce violence. In Texas, Eloise found fewer discipline problems among students required to wear uniforms, but no effect on attendance.
Sociologist David has studied school uniform policies since1998. He collected the reports in the book. In his own study, he found that reading and mathematics performance dropped after a school in Pennsylvania(賓夕法尼亞州) required uniforms.
Political and community pressures may persuade schools to go to uniforms to improve learning. But David and others believe there is not enough evidence of a direct relationship. In fact, he says requiring uniforms may even increase discipline problems.
Which was/ were the first in the U.S. to require uniforms in all elementary and middle schools?
A. Six big-city Ohio public schools.
B. The school district in Long Beach, California.
C. Some Middle and high schools in Texas.
D. Some elementary and middle schools in Florida.
Which of the following researchers are NOT supporters of school uniform policies?
A. Viktoria and Sharon. B. Sharon and David.
C. Eloise and Sharon. D. Viktoria and David.
The underlined word “misbehavior” in the sixth paragraph probably means ________.
A. serious crime B. bad performance
C. absence for class D. action against wearing uniforms
What can we infer from the passage?
A. More work is needed to get better information about uniform’s effect.
B. The number of schools requiring uniforms in the U.S. will become less sharply.
C. Wearing uniforms has little to do with behavior and learning.
D. Politicians and communities won’t vote for uniform policies.
What’s the main idea of this passage?
A. More and more students are required to wear uniforms in the U.S.
B. Wearing uniforms contributes to good academic performance.
C. Researchers in the U.S. argue for school uniform policies.
D. Evidence for school uniform polices in the U.S. is seen as weak.
