There is precedence that shows that a mandatory public school uniform policy is flawed and does not achieve its stated purpose. Uniforms in public schools are an effort to improve discipline and modify behavior in the classroom. But a policymaker who would offer this as a solution may only have vision that extends no further than the nameplate on his desk. Look at the statistics gathered in Duval County. But by the end of the year, only 10 percent of the children wore uniforms.
Every child has the right to a public education.
The right to a public education is not predicated on enforcing mandatory public school uniform policy. In fact, efforts to enforce a mandatory policy will most probably result in children being suspended, perhaps expelled, but certainly denied a public education because they do not comply with a strict state-sponsored clothing code. There are the inevitable First Amendment challenges that will arise under a mandatory public school uniform policy. The challenges of freedom of speech and expression, and the right to a public education will be weighed, balanced and judged against the wording and application of the mandatory public school uniform policy. Let's teach our children the ways of the world in the 21st century.