Texas school shared black outfit ban 'prematurely'

A Texas school district, facing backlash after one of its middle schools banned black clothes, has said the dress code change was "prematurely communicated".

Charles Middle School, part of the El Paso Independent School District, cited student mental health concerns when it announced its new dress code's ban of black outfits.

But the school district said in a statement on Wednesday evening that Charles Middle School had adopted the "proposed modifications" without district sign off.

Local media reported that Charles Middle School Principal Nick DeSantis shared the policy with parents earlier this week, noting that students wearing "black tops and black bottoms" had "taken over".

The "look", he wrote, "has become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and health kids ready to learn".

Many parents and community members shared their scepticism about the connection between clothing colour and mental health.

"Maybe concentrate on bullying! That's more of a mental health concern," one Facebook user commented on a social media post about the policy.

Some said the school's change did not address the root causes of teen mental health issues and would only punish struggling students.

"Ah yes, 'cause it's the clothes and not what they’re facing inside that’s the problem. Give them counselling instead of banning them from wearing what makes them comfortable," one comment read.

The backlash appears to have led to the school district's clarification that the middle school's policy changes had not been approved and were only a recommendation.

"Unfortunately, the campus prematurely communicated the dress code change as a final decision rather than a recommendation. We regret the miscommunication, particularly the intent behind the changes," a statement from the school district read.

The new dress code rule would allow students to wear some black pieces of clothing or full black outfits on specific free dress days, Norma De La Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, had previously told local media.

Ms De La Rosa said teachers saw a change in how students dress when they become stressed or depressed.

"The dress code changes were a response to concerns and recommendations brought forward by the stakeholders of Charles Middle School," the middle school said in a statement to local media.

The new dress code also prohibits sweatshirts with hoods and pockets to reduce opportunities for hiding items.