105. The following appeared as part of a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.
“Bayview High School is considering whether to require all of its students to wear uniforms while at school. Students attending Acorn¹ Valley Academy, a private school in town, earn higher grades on average than Bayview students and are more likely to go on to college. Moreover, Acorn Valley reports few instances of tardiness², absenteeism, or discipline problems. Since Acorn Valley requires its students to wear uniforms, Bayview High School would do well to follow suit and require its students to wear uniforms as well.”
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.

In this letter to the editor the author argues that Bayview High School should follow the example of Acorn Valley Academy and require its students to wear uniforms to school. In support of this recommendation the author points to Acorn’s low rate of absenteeism and tardiness as well as its lack of discipline problems and superior student performance. The author’s recommendation is questionable³ for a number of reasons.
To begin with, the author assumes that all of the stated benefits are a result of Acorn’s requirement that its students wear uniforms. On the face of it this appears to be simplistic assumption. It defies common sense to believe, as the author must, that the primary reason Acorn’s students receive higher grades on average and are more likely to go on to college is that they are required to wear uniforms to school. Similarly, the author’s belief that Acorn’s low rate of tardiness, absenteeism, and discipline problems can be attributed directly to its dress code is not in accord with common sense.
Next, the author assumes that the only relevant difference between Bayview and Acorn is the wearing of school uniforms. This assumption is not supported in the argument. Moreover, if it turns out that Acorn’s students are gifted and highly motivated to learn whereas Bayview’s are unexceptional and lack motivation to learn, common sense indicates that Acorn’s students would be more likely to perform better and cause fewer problems than Bayview’s.
Finally, it is unclear whether Bayview suffers from any of the problems the author wishes to correct by mandating⁴ its students to wear uniforms. For example, the author states that Acorn’s students earn higher grades on average and are more likely to go on to college, but it is unclear whether this is a comparison to Bayview’s students or to some other group. Lacking assurance that Bayview is deficient⁵ in the categories mentioned in the letter, it is difficult to accept the author’s recommendation.
In conclusion, the author has failed to provide compelling reasons for the recommendation that Bayview’s students be required to wear uniforms. To strengthen the argument the author would have to provide evidence for the assumption that Acorn’s requirement that students wear uniform is responsible for the various benefits mentioned. Additionally, it would have to be established that Bayview is similar in relevant respects to Acorn and suffers from the problems that the author’s remedy is intended to correct.

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