They felt like children had more concentration on learning. Brightharp said attendance was also up in schools with the policy. Jim Foster, a spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Education, said school uniforms are becoming more and more popular among public schools since two Orangeburg County elementary schools adopted a policy in the early 1990's. Foster said he doesn't know how many schools use the voluntary uniform policy since it's entirely up to parents of the individual schools. The policy is proving to be popular to rural schools as well as schools in more urban districts.
Parents are concerned with the rampant consumerism targeted at children.
Uniforms are a way to shelter kids from that. He said administrators have also reported a drop in discipline problems at the schools where students wear uniforms. The policy is just the thing for her school, Brightharp said. She said wearing uniforms will instill a sense of character and other traits she wants her students to experience, such as school pride.