After Texas lawmakers met in the 89th legislative session, the state adopted an educational “communication” device ban, including phones, through House Bill 1481 as part of a state-wide effort to eliminate distractions in the classroom. Those affected are likely to continue to voice their concerns at upcoming school board meetings.

The state should rescind HB 1481 because devices act as classroom tools, facilitate open communication among the school body and provide brain breaks during off periods.

Communication devices are often used as classroom tools. In the past, teachers were able to incorporate them during projects, video assignments, and out-of-class work to enhance the learning experience. Students were encouraged to go around school for certain projects to locate things related to their lesson. This provided an active way of learning and engages students in hands-on work. HB 1481 prevents students from utilizing phones to complete class assignments requiring video responses or gallery hunts, forcing teachers to assign less engaging paper assignments or additional homework. This lack of variety in work burns students out and takes more work after school. Teachers utilizing these devices during the day represent school and district culture by engagingly teaching hands on.

Devices also allow clear communication from teachers and coaches to their students. Coaches haven’t been able to communicate with athletes on where to meet for practice, and have had to communicate over the announcements to the whole school. This process is not only inconvenient for athletes and coaches, but also distracts the whole school. Parents were also able to communicate with their children when they needed help or if they were in danger. In the event of an emergency or last minute adjustments during the school day, students could keep their parents informed. Club sponsors also could effectively organize meetings and plan for after school so students could adjust how they got home. Losing access to communication devices has made the school less connected.

Supporters argue phones pose a significant distraction in the learning environment and result in a rise of bullying. These claims are unfounded. Long before phones were introduced in the classroom, students were bullied at high rates. The early 2000s saw around 30% of students involved in bullying, with it mostly being physical. Nowadays, this number has reduced to a mere 13%, with most coming via online platforms. The distinction, however, is that this bullying is occurring outside the classroom. In school limitations on phone access do little to prevent bullying through digital means when compared to other school-driven initiatives. Additionally, classes utilizing phones reported students more engaged in the learning experience. This engagement in class, along with breaks during the day, pose phones as a way to minimize bullying and improve the learning experience. Bullying often arises as a result of boredom or lacking engagement, which phones do not contribute to.

If Texas wants to ensure student engagement and reduce bullying in the classroom, targeting phones is not the way to go. Allowing teachers to decide when phones are permitted in class, while still having break periods in place, ensures opportunity for engaging learning while making sure class is still in order. 

But the legislature won’t repeal an act they just passed without pressure. Students and parents need to voice concerns across the state with bipartisan unity against these harmful policies and direct violations of individual rights. MISD hosts a school board meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and although they are not responsible for the statewide phone ban, voicing concerns could reach the news and upper TEA levels. The compromise of allowing teachers to determine when phones are permitted in class, while retaining students’ guaranteed access times, proves effective to lawmakers in the middle of the issue and parents unsure what to think.