Res. No. 451

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to mandate school uniforms.

By Council Members King, Koo, Eugene, Richards, Gentile, Espinal, Torres, Reynoso, Deutsch, Cabrera, Chin, Mealy and Ulrich

                     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 13 to 19 percent between 2003 and 2012; 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.

KET 9/3/14 2:35PM

LS 2068/2014