Parents in New York City's elementary schools voted on requiring student uniforms in 1999.  But to avoid lawsuits, PS 137 allowed parents to write a note excusing kids from wearing uniforms.  Then, during a heat wave in early May 2000, the principal decided to rescind the policy, saying not all of her students could afford uniform shorts.

Stefan Presser, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said his group would consider challenging Philadelphia's policy to require uniforms for all public school students.  He told the Associated Press, "[P]ublic schools are supposed to be teaching democracy.  Uniforms are antithetical to teaching people how to make choices."