Many local school districts are tightening their student cell phone usage policies, and now it seems that the Texas education agency commissioner is bringing the issue to the state level.
Cell phone use in schools can lead to unwanted distraction, cheating, reduced social skills, and have negative impacts on mental health, reported U.S News.
As such, on Wednesday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath suggested lawmakers address students’ use of cell phones during the school day with a state-wide ban, reported The Texas Tribune.
Morath gave his testimony during a Senate Education Committee hearing.
“If it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state,” Morath said, per the Tribune. “So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”
Opponents of the ban worry that students should have cell phones to promote a sense of agency and communicate with their parents in an emergency. For example, during the 2022 Uvalde school shooting at Robb Elementary School, students were trapped inside the school where an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, massacred 19 students and two teachers, while also leaving 17 others injured, cell phones were used to call police.
Next school year, Keller ISD will implement a ban on student cell phone usage except during lunch and passing periods in an effort to boost student achievement, reported The Dallas Express.
Also going into effect next school year, Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District will enact a stricter cell phone policy that will fine repeat offenders $15, per DX. The rules will differ depending on whether the student attends elementary, middle, or high school.
The new cell phone policy aims “to reduce distractions for students during the school day and to minimize interruptions to the learning process for all students,” GCISD trustee Dianna Sager said to Fox 4 KDFW, reported DX.
Dallas ISD’s student handbook states, “Students may NOT use cell phones, smart watches, or wireless headphones during the school day, including in the cafeteria, during passing periods, and recess.” Similar to Keller ISD’s new cell phone plan, DISD has already implemented the $15 fine if a cell phone is confiscated by the school for a fourth time.
The Texas Education Agency continues to face delays in releasing its accountability reports as numerous school districts have filed lawsuits objecting to the stricter requirements implemented due to adjusting its metrics.
In August, a Travis County judge granted a temporary restraining order preventing the release of accountability reports for the 2023-2024 school year. However, some districts, including DISD, are self-reporting.
DISD projected the district would receive an overall C rating from the state’s academic accountability system, down from the B it earned in 2022, reported DX.
Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) mentioned during the September 18 hearing that although an effort to prohibit cellphones from classrooms will be made in the upcoming legislative session, it is ultimately up to school districts to take action, per the Tribune.