Texas students will face new restrictions as a law banning personal electronic devices in classrooms takes effect this school year.
VIDOR, Texas — Starting this upcoming school year, students across Texas will face new restrictions as House Bill 1481, which bans personal electronic devices in classrooms, goes into effect. The law, passed during the most recent legislative session, prohibits the use of cell phones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets not provided by the school during the school day.
School districts in Southeast Texas, including Vidor ISD, are now preparing for how to implement the new requirements and are notifying parents of the changes.
“We need to maximize every minute that we have the students,” said Vidor ISD Superintendent Jay Killgo. “If their attention goes away to something, then we’ve lost them.”
Killgo emphasized that mobile devices have increasingly become a source of distraction. “They’re sending messages in class that become a distraction. They’re not paying attention. They’re videoing things they shouldn’t be videoing. They’re invading other students’ privacy or even staff members’ privacy,” he said.
Previously, Vidor ISD required students to place their phones in pouches before entering classrooms, but the new state law will require even stricter enforcement. Some parents welcome the change, believing it could help students regain essential life skills.
“As a parent and as somebody who hires people at their job, I’m excited because maybe some of these younger generations coming up will gain back social skills that they need in the real world,” said Amanda, a Vidor ISD parent.
Killgo praised state lawmakers for passing the legislation, stating that reducing device usage is critical to improving student focus and learning. “We care about them, we care about your students. We want them to live life and to learn as much as possible. We’re gonna work with you on that and we’re gonna meet what the state expectation is,” he said.
The law does provide exceptions for students with documented disabilities or medical conditions that require the use of electronic devices.
As the first day of school approaches, districts are working to establish enforcement guidelines and educate families on the new rules aimed at putting learning back at the center of the classroom.
