ower income brackets fear that the uniforms are too expensive. Theypoint out that not only do they have to buy the uniforms, but they also have to supply theirchildren with clothes for when they are not in school. In 1995, the ACLU helped a group ofparents file a lawsuit against the Long Beach and Oakland school districts. According to thelawsuits, the school districts did not follow the state law that require districts to give parents theoption of allowing their children to wear uniforms. This lawsuit was settled out of court thefollowing year. However, the school districts agreed that they would expand their financial aidfor families that could not afford the uniforms. The factor that they did not take intoconsideration is that the uniforms generally cost much less than buying name brand departmentstore clothing. The school districts argue that it is much cheaper for a family to buy theirchildren a weeks worth of uniforms instead of name brand clothing. They point to the relativelylow cost of uniforms. A typical uniform might cost between $25 and $35. In many schooldistricts, there are nonprofit organizations that give out over $100,000 in financial aid to familiesthat allow them to buy these uniforms. School districts also point out that the uniforms can bepassed down from one child to another. By doing this, they would come out ahead in the longrun.Many parents believe that uniforms will only stifle the students creativity. They will notbe allowed to freely express themselves with the colors that they wear as well as the clothingitself. If a child is feeling particularly happy that day, he or she may want to wear their favoriteoutfit to express themselves and the way that they feel. If all students wear uniforms, the entireschool will all look exactly the same, which takes away all creativity and suppressesindividuality. The controversy whether to implement the uniform policy has gone on for quite a fewyears now. Bo...
