Texas schools gearing up for cell phone ban
AUSTIN (KXAN) — This upcoming school year public school students won't be allowed to use their cell phones during the school day.
House Bill 1481 is already law, but Gov. Greg Abbott had a ceremonial signing of the bill Friday in Amarillo.
During the ceremony Abbott highlighted Texas pushing to be the best in public education and how cell phones can be distracting to students learning.
"Educators and researchers have raised concerns about the impact that smartphones have on student learning and student engagement," Abbott said. "Experts have explained that smartphones and social media affect the mental health of children. If we are going to be number one in education, it is going to require the undivided attention of our students in the classroom."
The law bans cell phones, smartwatches, gaming devices and other digital communication devices.
School districts around the state will now have to come up with a plan on how to enforce the new rules.
"The law is the law and we have to obey the law," said Round Rock Independent School District Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez. "The law pretty much says you can't have your cellphones during the instructional day."
In Round Rock ISD students will be allowed to bring their phones to school.
"However, we are asking our students to keep their phones in their pockets or out of sight," Azaiez said.
Over in Pflugerville Independent School District, it will be rolling out a similar approach.
"We are going to take a little more relaxed approach and we are going to say we don't want to see it, you can keep it on your person," said PfISD Superintendent Quintin Shepherd. "You can put it in your pocket if you want."
Abbott said each school district will have the opportunity to decide how they roll out their new policies.
"It gives however school districts flexibility to establish policies that meet the unique needs of their particular district," Abbott said.
In Liberty Hill Independent School District, it sent out notifications to parents to inform them about the changes.
While some parents are on board with the move, there are some that have concerns about safety and contacting their kids.
"Concerns have been things like I am used to contacting my child during the day, about maybe practice, or something has changed, or the other part is about safety, if something were to happen how do I get a hold of my child," said Liberty Hill ISD Interim Superintendent Travis Motal.
Manor Independent School District said there will be a learning curve, but educating students, parents and teachers about the changes is key to a smooth transition.
"Inevitably some students are going to pull out their phone, so how are you going to talk to the students and say hey, we can't do that anymore, then how do we react to that," said Manor ISD Superintendent Robert Sormani.
Some exceptions can be made for students with medical needs or for students who are in special education.