(Texas Scorecard) – Texas schools are preparing to implement a new law regulating the use of cell phones in classrooms.
Initially filed by State Rep. Caroline Fairly (R–Amarillo) and signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June, House Bill 1481 requires school boards to implement a ban on personal devices used by students while on school campuses.
When introducing her measure to the House Public Education Committee, Fairly emphasized the need to prevent disruptions in classrooms: “The reality is: these phones, they’re a distraction.”
Other committee members expressed similar concerns. “I do believe that these devices are destroying the attention of an entire generation,” stated State Rep. James Talarico (D–Austin).
Students from across the state testified in support of HB 1481, with many of them pointing out that some districts have already adopted phone use policies to address this issue.
State Rep. Alan Schoolcraft (R–McQueeney) voiced concern that the measure over-legislates an issue that was already being addressed by districts.
Under the law, school districts are given discretion to either include a prohibition on possession of all personal devices while on campus, provide a secure storage location for the phones during the school day, or adopt more lenient policies, such as a ban merely on phone use during class periods and requiring students to keep the phones in their backpacks.
The measure garnered widespread bipartisan support in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
David Dunmoyer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation stated in a research paper on cell phone use in schools that “While technology plays an essential role in education, personal devices often serve as a distraction rather than a learning tool.”
“Studies indicate that students check their phones more than 100 times per day on average, reducing their ability to focus on classroom instruction,” added Dunmoyer.
The law took effect on June 20, with school districts required to adopt a policy ensuring that Texas children can learn in a distraction-free environment within 90 days.