Allen Independent School District adopted a new policy to keep cell phones out of students’ hands during the school day, complying with a new state law aimed at improving classroom behavior and academic performance.
Legislation passed earlier this year as House Bill 1481 requires all Texas school districts to set policies that will prohibit students from using smartphones and other personal electronic communication devices “from bell to bell.”
The measure received strong bipartisan support from state lawmakers and aligns with a growing consensus nationwide about the harmful effects of excessive cell phone usage on students’ education and health.
Local districts have broad discretion over how to implement their phone-free policies—ranging from prohibiting devices on campus entirely, to providing secure storage areas in classrooms, or simply requiring students to keep devices in their backpacks during class time.
Allen ISD trustees approved their new policy during a July 21 school board meeting.
HB 1481 doesn’t require districts to adopt a policy until September, but Allen ISD officials wanted the new rules in place when school starts in August.
Students will not be allowed to use their devices while on the premises of the main campus buildings during the school day.
Devices must be stored in backpacks placed in designated classroom “drop zones” with devices turned off for the entire school day.
The “school day” is defined as “from the time when students enter the building in the morning until the time of dismissal in the afternoon,” Director of Student Services Jessica Warlick told trustees.
The policy applies to smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smartglasses, wireless headphones or earbuds, radio devices, and “any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication.” School-issued devices are excluded.
Students who violate the policy will have their devices confiscated.
Exceptions may be allowed for students with special educational or medical needs, or to comply with safety protocols.
Allen ISD already prohibits cell phones in its middle schools and freshman center.
Many other Texas schools and districts also adopted phone-free policies prior to the state mandate and have reported improvements in students’ classroom engagement, behavior, and academic performance.
