By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

It won’t be long before local children lay aside shorts and T-shirts to don more academic attire — school uniforms.

“Research shows children perform better when they’re not having to worry about what they wear to school,” John T. Morgan Academy dean of instruction Karim Oaks said.

While there is debate over whether or to what extent uniforms affect behavior and academic performance, local school officials and educators say they are having the intended result.

“I think the benefit has been, certainly, it takes away a little bit of the competition of style and clothing,” Selma City Schools superintendent Dr. Don Jefferson said.

Concetta Burton, director of Selma Early College High School, said uniforms have led to “fewer discipline problems or referrals, which is going to ultimately lead to higher academic performance.”

“It instills in the students a higher self-esteem,” Burton said. “I think it just all goes back to brands. I think that it has eliminated or minimized problems like that.”

Students in local schools — from private, to city, to county — have restrictions on both style and color when it comes to the school day outfit, although many schools still do offer limited options.

Students at Bruce K. Craig Elementary School, for example, must wear khaki, black or navy bottoms (shorts, skirts, capris or pants); white, burgundy or black polo shirts; and solid brown or black shoes or solid color sneakers.

While there have been criticisms that school dress codes or uniforms infringe on the students’ right to freedom of expression, that is not the goal of the policies.

“I just think the emphasis needs to be on education … rather than all the ancillary type things,” Jefferson said.

Dr. Fannie McKenzie, Dallas County Schools superintendent, said they are also supportive of uniform and dress code policies.

“If PTO or administration at site agree and vote on uniforms, and it’s within reason, we give them our blessings,” McKenzie said. “There are several schools that use uniforms, and we may have an additional school join.”

Ellwood Christian Academy is one school implementing full uniform this year. The school is encouraging parents to purchase uniformed shirts with the eagle logo from school.

“We went with our school colors,” principal Darrell Walker said. “If someone looks nice, they’ll feel better about themselves as well.”

Walker said they hope the uniforms will aid in instilling character and morals into Ellwood students.

Greater character and self-esteem may not be paramount in the children’s minds, however. Hailayah Northy will be a third grader at Ellwood, and she said she’d rather get to choose what she wears — preferably, something pink.

“I like my own clothes; I don’t like uniforms,” Hailayah said.

But parents and children don’t see eye to eye when it comes to the uniform issue. Northy’s mother, Jacqueline Mayberry, said uniforms make life easier.

“The kids don’t like them, but it makes it convenient for the parent,” Mayberry said. But Mayberry also said it’s more important what the child thinks about them. “She likes to be fashionable, which I can understand.”

Jamiyah Cleveland, who will be in kindergarten at Turner Elementary in Marion, also said she’d rather wear dressy clothes. But that’s the very reason her mother likes the uniform policy.

“It makes it easier for me to choose something for her to go to school,” Lula Clemons said. “Some kids are picky … it’s easier to put them in a uniform.”

Oaks said she thinks most parents are in favor of uniform dress codes. In fact, Oaks said it was parents who pushed for John T. Morgan Academy to implement the uniform dress code.

“Overall, parents say it’s cheaper and easier,” Oaks said. “It makes getting ready for school much easier.”

Burton has the dual perspective of seeing school uniforms from the viewpoint of a parent as well as an administrator.

“As a parent, it was easier for me to shop for my child,” Burton said. “It helps with the organization and getting prepared.”

Walker said their parent response has been positive.

“The parents love it. To them, the uniforms are way cheaper than going out and buying (name brands),” Walker said.