School Uniforms and Dress Codes

In countries like the United Kingdom, uniforms are worn by nearly all students in both the public and private school systems. School uniforms are much less common in the United States. Although they are the standard for most American private schools, they are less common in public schools. This trend has changed over the years, however. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 2000 and 2016, the percentage of American public schools reporting that they required students to wear uniforms increased from 12 to 21 percent.

Educators create uniform policies for a variety of reasons. School uniforms are said to help build a shared identity and can foster stronger relationships and helpful attitudes. They also reportedly give students...