Res 0054-2018

By Council Members Koo, Cabrera, Holden, Cornegy, R. Diaz, Rose and Salamanca Whereas, New York State law requires that the New York City school district adopt a code of conduct, including standards for dress deemed appropriate and acceptable on school property and at school functions, as well as dress that is deemed unacceptable and inappropriate; and Whereas, The New York City Department of Education (DOE) does not require students to wear uniforms as part of its code of conduct and instead applies a voluntary uniform policy; and Whereas, Under Chancellor's Regulation A-665, the DOE implemented a voluntary uniform policy permitting individual schools to decide whether or not to require uniforms; and Whereas, Many schools throughout the New York City school system choose to require uniforms; and Whereas, According to the United States Department of Education, the percentage of public schools requiring uniforms increased from 12 percent to 20 percent from 1999-2000 to 2013-2014; and Whereas, The DOE acknowledged in its voluntary policy that uniforms "help schools promote a more effective learning climate; foster school unity and pride; improve student performance; foster self-esteem; eliminate label competition; simplify dressing and minimize costs to parents; teach children appropriate dress and decorum in their 'work' place; and help to improve student conduct and discipline"; and Whereas, Requiring school uniforms can present a cost savings to parents, as families of children in non-uniform schools spend more on school clothes than those of children attending schools where uniforms are required; and Whereas, School uniforms may lead to decreased violence among students, increase school security by making non-students more obvious, decrease peer pressure, and help to minimize socioeconomic differences between students; and Whereas, School uniforms improve the educational climate for students and teachers and should be required in all New York City public schools; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls the New York City Department of Education to mandate school uniforms. LS 2068/Res. 451-2014 LS 911 KET/ KJ 12/28/17