GED Essay Example: School Uniforms
The GED RLA test includes an extended response section where you must write an argumentative essay using provided sources. School uniform policies are a common topic that frequently appears on this exam. This GED Essay Example: School Uniforms (Extended Response) shows you how to structure your argument, incorporate evidence from the texts, and write an effective response that meets RLA requirements.
Review the prompt and instructions below. You need to write a well-organized extended response of at least 300 words in 45 minutes, following the structure shown in the Model Response.
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Task Instruction
Analyze the arguments presented in the two speeches. In your response, develop an argument in which you explain how one position is better supported than the other. Incorporate relevant and specific evidence from both sources to support your argument. Remember, the better-argued position is not necessarily the position with which you agree. This task should take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Uniforms Create Better Learning Environments
By Dr. Patricia Williams, Education Policy Researcher
School districts across the nation should implement mandatory uniform policies to improve educational outcomes and student safety. Research consistently shows that uniforms create more focused, equitable, and secure learning environments that benefit all students.
Safety represents the most compelling argument for school uniforms. When all students dress alike, school staff can immediately identify visitors or intruders who don’t belong on campus. This becomes crucial as schools face increasing security challenges. A 2022 study from the National School Safety Center found that schools with uniform policies reported 15% fewer incidents involving unauthorized individuals on campus. Additionally, uniforms eliminate gang-related clothing that can trigger conflicts between rival groups.
Uniforms also promote educational equity by reducing visible economic differences among students. When everyone wears the same outfit, wealthy students cannot display expensive designer clothing that makes lower-income classmates feel excluded or inadequate. Maria Rodriguez, a high school principal in Chicago, observed that “uniform policies level the playing field so students compete academically rather than fashionably.” This creates an environment where character and achievement matter more than brand names.
Furthermore, uniforms improve academic focus by eliminating daily clothing decisions and peer pressure about appearance. Students spend less time worrying about their outfits and more time concentrating on learning. Data from Long Beach Unified School District, the first large district to require uniforms, shows significant improvements in attendance rates and test scores following uniform implementation.
The evidence is clear: school uniforms create safer, more equitable, and academically focused environments that help all students succeed.
Uniforms Suppress Student Identity and Freedom
By Marcus Thompson, Student Rights Advocate
Mandatory school uniform policies represent an outdated approach that restricts student expression and fails to address the real issues facing modern education. Rather than improving schools, uniforms create new problems while ignoring the root causes of educational challenges.
Personal expression through clothing choices plays a vital role in adolescent development. Teenagers use fashion to explore their identity, express creativity, and develop confidence. When schools mandate identical outfits, they suppress this natural developmental process. Sarah Chen, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University, explains that “clothing choices help teenagers communicate who they are becoming and experiment with different aspects of their personality.”
The economic argument for uniforms is also misleading. While supporters claim uniforms reduce inequality, they actually create financial hardship for many families. Uniform costs typically range from $200-500 per student annually, and families cannot shop for discounts at various retailers. Low-income families often struggle more with uniform expenses than with regular clothing purchases, where they can find affordable options at thrift stores or discount retailers.
Moreover, uniforms fail to address the real causes of academic problems. Schools should focus on improving teaching quality, updating curriculum, and providing adequate resources rather than controlling student appearance. Research from the University of Nevada found no significant correlation between uniform policies and improved academic performance when controlling for socioeconomic factors.
Finally, uniform policies teach students to conform rather than think independently. In a democratic society, schools should encourage individual expression and critical thinking, not compliance with arbitrary dress codes. Students need to learn how to make appropriate choices, including clothing decisions, before entering the adult world.
School uniforms represent a superficial solution that restricts freedom without solving fundamental educational challenges.
Model Response
The debate over mandatory school uniforms has divided educators, parents, and students for decades. After carefully examining both perspectives, the argument supporting school uniforms presents a more compelling case. This position is stronger because it addresses practical concerns about safety, equality, and academic focus while offering concrete solutions to real problems facing today’s schools.
The safety argument for uniforms carries significant weight in modern educational environments. Dr. Williams points out that uniforms make it easier for school staff to identify intruders who don’t belong on campus, citing a 2022 study showing 15% fewer incidents involving unauthorized individuals at schools with uniform policies. This becomes especially important given rising concerns about school security nationwide. Additionally, uniforms can reduce gang-related violence by eliminating clothing that displays gang colors or symbols. While Thompson argues that uniforms restrict personal expression, this concern seems minor compared to creating a safer learning environment where students can focus on education rather than worry about their physical security.
Perhaps the most persuasive argument for uniforms centers on reducing economic inequality among students. When everyone wears the same clothing, the visible gap between wealthy and low-income families becomes less apparent. Students from families who cannot afford expensive brand-name clothing no longer face daily reminders of their economic status. Principal Maria Rodriguez’s observation that uniform policies help students “compete academically rather than fashionably” highlights how these policies create more inclusive environments. Thompson counters that uniform costs burden low-income families, but this argument overlooks how keeping up with fashion trends throughout the school year typically costs significantly more than purchasing a few uniform outfits.
The academic focus argument also deserves serious consideration. Williams references data from Long Beach Unified School District showing improved attendance rates and test scores following uniform implementation. When students spend less time worrying about what to wear or comparing their outfits to others, they can direct more energy toward learning. Thompson dismisses this by citing University of Nevada research, but his argument fails to address the broader benefits of reduced distractions and peer pressure that uniforms provide.
Thompson raises valid concerns about self-expression and individuality, arguing that clothing choices help teenagers develop their personal identity. However, this argument overlooks the many other ways students can express themselves in school—through art, writing, extracurricular activities, and academic pursuits. Limiting clothing choices does not eliminate opportunities for personal growth and creativity.
The evidence supporting school uniforms outweighs the opposition because it addresses fundamental issues that directly impact learning. Creating safer, more equitable, and focused educational environments benefits all students, regardless of their background or personal style preferences. While individual expression matters, the collective benefits of uniform policies create better conditions for academic success and personal development.
(447 words)
