Johnny can read, but he can’t get dressed.

Why? Because he cannot find a passable white dress shirt.

It was Tuesday morning, and he was late for class. He had his books, his lunch, and his homework. But he was still missing one thing: his shirt.

His school, I.S. 59 in Jamaica, is one of the few public junior highs to participate in the city’s experimental school uniform program. Not only does the dress code improve the decorum of the school, but administrators say that it also teaches children about life in the real world.

In this case, Johnny was able to find a shirt that was not stained or wrinkled beyond his ironing ability. He then put on his tie, and raced down Springfield Boulevard to school.

I.S. 59 makes for an interesting case study in school uniforms. Since the implementation of a dress code two years ago, which requires collared shirts and ties for boys, and skirts for girls, not only is the school more disciplined, but ten percent more students are reading at grade level, said Dr. Antonio K’Tori, principal of I.S. 59.

Spurred on by the success of I.S. 59, District 29, and similar programs across the country, the central Board of Education recently voted to make school uniforms mandatory for all elementary and junior high school students although there are various ways to opt out. This decision has sparked a debate in a few Queens school districts, dividing the boards into several opposing camps.

Those in favor of the uniforms argue that clothes are not only a distraction, but they are also the cause of criminal activity in the schools.

They contend that eliminating expensive sneakers and jackets from the students’ wardrobes will create a more disciplined educational environment. In other words, Johnny can’t read because he is preoccupied by how he and his friends are dressed.

"Once the disciplinary problems of the school have been taken care of, you can get down to the real business of education," said K’Tori.

The uniform detractors argue that the central Board of Education is dressing students rather than addressing the fundamental problems of the system.

"I don’t believe there is a relationship between school dress and school performance," said State Sen. Leonard Stavisky. "The board is focusing on the wrong things."

A teacher and student at I.S. 59, both required to wear shirt and tie. Tribune Photo by Manny Patino

In other words, Johnny can’t read, and spiffy new uniforms aren’t going to make a difference.

Furthermore, many parents and civil libertarians contend that insisting on school uniforms in public schools is an infringement of the students’ right to freedom of expression.

"There is something fascist about the whole thing," one teacher told the Tribune. "We always talk about the value of our diversity, and in this case it is tantamount. I like the fact that when I look at my class they are all wearing different colors."

In other words, Johnny can’t read the Constitution, but his First Amendment rights must still be protected.

This issue has also become a new front in the battle between school districts and the central board.

"The district is aware that the central board is approving school uniforms," said Joseph Quinn, superintendent of District 24. "But we are cognizant of the fact that this is a matter that has to be decided locally and between the building principal and the parents."

Under the Board’s uniform policy, all students will be required to wear uniforms every day. However, individual schools and students will be allowed to opt out of the program.

Schools can vote to be exempt from the school uniform program. Individual students can do the same, as long as their parents meet with school administrators and explain the reason for the exemption.

According to Board of Education spokesman J.D. LaRock, these reasons may include religion, freedom of expression, or just personal preference. "In these cases, parents will have to adhere to an alternate dress code as promulgated by the school," he said.

Several individual school boards feel slighted by this policy, because they are being sidestepped. In Bayside’s District 26, the board has resolved to defy the citywide policy, arguing that the central board does not have the legal basis for the program.

"But the community school boards cannot enact policy contrary to that of the central board," said LaRock.

On Thursday, March 26, members of District 26 will vote on their resolution.

Also at issue is the matter of enforcement. Under the policy, the maximum penalty for not wearing the uniforms would be a parent-teacher conference.

The other concern for parents has been where will these uniforms come from, what will they look like, and who will have to pay for them.

Dr. Antonio K’Tori, Principal of I.S. 59, one of the only schools in the city that enforces a dress code. Tribune Photo by Manny Patino

According to LaRock, the uniforms will not be different for each school, and will be manufactured by various companies.

They will, in general, consist of shirts, ties and slacks for boys, and blouses and skirts for girls. A pants option for the girls is also being considered.

Parents will be responsible for paying for the uniforms, although financial assistance will be available in many cases, said LaRock.

Many educators, who were unconvinced about the impact that uniforms have on the schools, change their mind when they visit I.S. 59.

K’Tori has created an environment in which classical music is played in all of the hallways, the school bell has been eliminated, and teachers as well as students wear jackets and ties.

In the two years the students have been dressing up, K’Tori says the results have been remarkable.

"When I first arrived here, a student was beaten up for his sneakers, and left barefoot in the snow," said K’Tori. "Now we do not have these distractions and can finally concentrate on academics."

In other words, making sure Johnny can read, write, and iron a dress shirt.