Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• Why does seventh-grader Miguel Yepez say he supports uniforms? (Identifying Reasons)
Miguel says he supports uniforms because they can reduce bullying. When everyone is wearing the same clothes, it’s hard to make fun of someone’s outfit. He says requiring uniforms might help make schools safer.
• What evidence supports the idea that “uniform policies often fail to achieve hoped-for goals”? (Text Evidence)
A 2021 study found that uniform mandates can reduce the sense of community in a school. Arya Ansari, the study’s lead author, says, “When students can’t show their individuality, they may not feel like they belong as much.”
• How does the graph “How Common Are Uniforms?” support the article? Summarize the data it presents. (Text Features)
The graph supports the article by showing how the percentage of public schools in the U.S. that require uniforms has changed since 1999-2000. After the percentage of schools with uniform mandates increased from about 12 percent in 1999-2000 to a high of about 22 percent in 2015-2016, it fell to about 19 percent in 2019-2020.