What you need to know
The district's change is to be in compliance with House Bill 1481, a law prohibiting student use of personal wireless communication devices during the school day. Students will continue to be allowed to use school-issued devices.
The details
Digital communication devices that must now be silenced, turned off and put away during the school day include:
- Smart phones
- Flip phones
- Tablets
- Gaming devices
- Smartwatches
- Earbuds and earphones
- Laptops
- E-readers
- Pagers and radios
- Any device capable of two-way communication
Texas lawmakers enacted a ban on cell phones in public and charter schools set to go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Districts could provide students with pouches to store their devices or ask students to keep devices in their lockers or backpacks, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said at a May 20 Senate Education Committee hearing. Each district’s device policy must outline disciplinary measures for violations, according to the bill.
What else?
Exceptions to the policy can be made for documented medical needs and special education accommodations, according to the district.
Students will have their devices confiscated on the first offense, with consequences escalating for subsequent infractions.
