Suing over uniforms, the latest fad

I never had to wear uniforms to my public schools, but often wished I had. And the kids I knew who did, had parents who were maybe a little more grateful for the rules than parents these days.

As the new school year approaches, more schools are requiring students to wear uniforms or otherwise restricting what they may wear — and parents are objecting.

Their complaint: The policies trample students' right of expression and parents' right to raise children without government interference, says Vickie Crager, founder of Asserting Parental Rights — it's Our Duty, a parents rights group that opposes school uniforms.

So parents have banded together against uniforms? There are so many other things I can think of that parents could oppose, that would improve their child's educational experience. Uniforms falls far from the top of my list.
Here's one that baffles me:

"As a parent, we felt our rights were being violated," says Laura Bell. They have five children, ages 5 to 17.

The Bells' suit makes two claims: that the uniform requirement violates their children's constitutional right of free expression and that it violates the guarantee of a free public education. The Bells would have to pay $641 for five sets of pants and shirts required by the policy, Laura Bell says.

Think about how much they'd have to pay for enough clothes for at least a week for all their children instead of uniforms. And uniforms can be worn has hand-me-downs, which I'm sure a family of five is well-aware of.

I guess I am unopposed to uniforms and think they have a poor argument. If that's how the school can best keep their students, I support their decision to enforce and require uniforms. Last time I checked, school was not a fashion show and the hallways were not runways. School is a place for learning.

Others who object to uniforms and strict dress codes make their case outside the courtroom. Nashville parents created Metro Parents Against Standard School Attire after the school board announced plans for uniforms this spring.

"We perceive it as an educational fad," says Ashley Crownover, the group's spokeswoman. She says research does not support claims that uniforms increase safety or improve academic performance.

A fad? Like high tops, tight rolling, and big hair were? Those all contributed to increased educational performance and higher test scores. Why else do we have No Child Left Behind?

Where is the outrage over freshmen in mini-skirts and 8th graders in eye-liner?

Some members of the group are considering suing or encouraging their children not to wear uniforms when school starts Aug. 13, Crownover says.

Good comeback. Maybe they'll get detention and you can take the teachers to court!