Does the school uniform play a role in student performance?

Does the school uniform play a role in student performance?

Tothis question all those who are convinced of the benefits of the school uniform will all answer yes. The opponents of this practice, on the other hand, will multiply the arguments against.

In fact, everyone is free to have their own convictions, based on their education, their beliefs, their experiences. But what does science say? Can the studies conducted help us to decide?

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Do school uniforms play a role in student performance? Yes, according to two researchers at the University of Sydney

In 2015, two Australian researchers published a study structured around two hypotheses. First, better discipline would lead to better academic performance. Second, students in uniform are more disciplined.

To do this, the researchers used 2012 data from the OECD's PISA survey of a sample of 15-year-old students in 39 countries.

The study focused on the study climate and therefore on the learning conditions: attendance, concentration, respect for schedules, silence, attention.

The results show:

• First, that the highest performing students have the highest level of discipline;
• second, that students wearing uniforms listen better and get to work faster.

In short, students who listen to teachers, in a room with low noise levels and where teachers start their lessons quickly show better academic results.

The study also argues that the implementation ofschool uniforms contributes to better discipline and, therefore, improves learning.

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Do school uniforms play a role in student performance? No, according to an American study

School uniforms have little or no effect on the behavior and attendance of children of all ages. That's what we're realizing according to astudy conducted in 2021 by a team of American scientists from Ohio State University.

This study, based on a nationally representative sample of more than 6,000 students from kindergarten to the end of fifth grade, contradicts the findings of the Australian researchers.

According to Arya Ansari and her team, wearing aschool uniform has no effect on children's attendance or behavior. Nor does it have any effect on anxiety, withdrawal, violence or sense of belonging.

The only figures that support the Australian study are for students from modest backgrounds. Those who attend schools where school uniforms are compulsory were reported to be "slightly more diligent".

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Conclusion: academic performance and uniforms, is there a link?

Does wearing regulation, school-imposed clothing influence academic performance?

The science is not clear! It is therefore up to each school to make its own opinion.

Nevertheless, these studies do shed light on an issue that is alive and well in the educational community, namely the link between dress and behavioral problems.