Dress code in school
Dress codes have long been the subject of debate in our educational institutions for many years. Administrators have struggled to find effective ways to deal with discipline problems. The introduction of dress codes has been a common intervention in our educational system to help decrease the number of disciplinary issues that are dealt with on a daily basis. Topics such as gang activity, bullying, increasing violence and Freedom of Expression have been thrown into the discussion, causing controversy in our communities. The dress code policy is considered to be a "fix all" solution in our schools, but has failed to curb the big issues. Dress codes should not be instituted to fix a particular problem, but should be looked at to help overall
Having a uniform policy can help give the school an identity and also supports professionalism. Kay Hymowitz stated in the New York Times (2009), “self expression will always have to be at least partially limited, just as it in the workplace.” Students do not want to be told what they can and cannot wear. Not only are schools a place to learn, they are also a social OUTLET, where the fads of the current times are formed. Taking away their right of self-expression can cause self-esteem issues and affect the way students interact with one another. It is not surprising that children would be against this type of policy. With each grade level that is completed, there comes a sense of maturing. When kids cannot choose what they want to wear for themselves, it takes away from that FEELING of independence and can cause rebellion. The ultimate goal of enforcing a dress code policy was to decrease the possibility of violence and bullying among students. This allows for better learning opportunities, as the children will have less social issues to deal with. The topic of gang related issues was paramount, because gangs establish their dominance through the color of their clothing, but if you take away their freedom to display their colors, will this actually change the mentality of these individuals? It has yet to be proven that changing the clothes we wear can prevent feelings of hatred or violence. Outward appearances may make a tough guy look less


dress for success
Dress for Success
As much as we all wish to deny it, the way we dress has a big impact on our success in life. One way to acknowledge this idea is through the use of school uniforms. Over time, schools have become aware of the importance of uniforms: 
In 2007–08, about 18 percent of public school principals reported that their school required students to wear uniforms. In 1999–2000, the percentage of principals who reported that their school required students to wear uniforms was 12 percent (“Fast Facts.”)
Regardless of whether the school is private or public, the use of school uniforms should be executed as a way to promote an environment that helps students get the most out of their school education. 
More than a form of dress code,
What they wear can CERTAINLY make them look unique but should not be what defines them. Instead, we should teach and encourage our children and students to show their individuality in ways that really matter — their performance in school, on the athletic field, serving their church or their community, in a math or science competition, by writing a poem or short story, on stage or in the theater. This is what truly makes them an individual (Hager).
We must realize that there is more to ‘individuality’ than just materialistic items such as clothes.
School uniforms help maintain a sense of equality amongst the students. They help RID any socioeconomic barriers that may be causing certain students, or groups of students, to be alienated from the rest of the student body (Wilde). In other words, the financial status of a student’s parents no longer matters. Parents “are no longer pressured to buy the latest fashions, and they spend less on their children's clothing” (Isaacson). They no longer feel obligated to keep their children up to date with the latest fashion trends. Due to this, students are less prone to form cliques, which only lead to the alienation of students ("School Uniforms.") At the same time, students no longer feel inferior or superior to other students. No longer do students respect each other on the basis of how stylish they look. Their clothes do not gauge how POPULAR they are in the school. Instead, uniforms force people to look at each