Based on the research below, I am signing this petition in support of implementation of a school uniform policy in District 101 for the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

StatisticsIn the year 2009, the school uniform policy was effectively implemented in 21 states in the United States of America.

• What was found upon implementation of this policy is that the overall crime rate had dropped by 91%, children were less prone to suspension, and that the rate of suspension dropped by 90%.
• An interesting point to note is that the number of sex offenses drastically reduced as an effect of implementing the school uniform rule. Statistics show that the number of such offenses reduced by a whopping 96%.
• Lastly, another area that benefited from the implementation of this rule was vandalism, where its instances reduced by 69%.
• The assaults on students of children from kindergarten through class 8 had also reduced by 85%.
• Another important factor to consider is the cost of school uniforms. A lot of people believe that purchasing them is expensive, but what has been noticed in the long run is that the overall cost of clothing has drastically reduced thereby easing the expenses of parents in this area.
• Statistics also claim that 44% of parents have found that their kids are more focused in school after wearing uniforms
  
  In addition to the  facts and statistics in favor of wearing school uniforms, there are some other pros that have emerged upon implementing a rule making them mandatory.

• It has been found that wearing school uniforms has reduced the peer pressure that is experienced in school to look trendy at all times.
• Cases of bullying and violence within the school premises have also reduced because kids are not picked on due to the kind of clothes they wear.
• Those from a lower socio-economic status are less likely to feel insecure among those from a higher socio-economic background because they are unable to afford the kind of clothing that is sported by the latter.
• As mentioned earlier, students have developed an increased focus on studies because they are not obsessed with the way they look in comparison to others.
• Finally, wearing a school uniform instills a sense of uniformity and the feeling of being one within the school premises. It enables students to transcend barriers based on appearance and socio-economic status, and unite in order to achieve a common goal.