Districts are moving from more flexible phone policies to complete ban during school hours as House Bill 1481 takes effect.
WACO, Texas — Waco Independent School District has implemented a comprehensive ban on cell phones and personal communication devices during school hours, following a requirement from state law.
The change represents what Deputy Superintendent Melissa King-Knowles calls “a big change” for the district.
“Our policy prior to this was that we did not want students utilizing them, with the exception of instructional purposes,” King-Knowles explained. “We asked our students to keep them away and not use them for personal use.”
Under the old policy, students could “use them in maybe a common setting such as lunch and also we did allow them to utilize them for instructional purposes.”
Like several other school districts in the area, Waco ISD’s previous restrictions weren’t strictly enforced. However, the rules have become much more stringent.
“We are not having cell phones or personal communication devices out at any point during the school day,” King-Knowles said. “All personal communication devices, and that does include smart watches, are off and out of sight from the moment that you walk into the building until the very end of the instructional day.”
The policy change stems from House Bill 1481, which requires schools to implement policies banning all personal communication devices during the school day or while on campus. The new state law forced districts across Texas to reconsider their approaches to student technology use.
“We are now obligated and required to meet the state’s expectations,” King-Knowles noted. “We had to come to the drawing table and talk about it as a group.”
The decision wasn’t made lightly, especially considering parental concerns about safety and communication with their children.
“They think about it when it comes to the safety and well-being of their child, and we’re used to being able to access one another at a moment’s notice,” King-Knowles acknowledged.
To address these concerns, King-Knowles reminded parents that each campus maintains a main phone line available for emergencies, ensuring communication channels remain open when truly needed.
The district’s approach to enforcement differs from some other school systems. While some districts confiscate phones or require students to place them in special pouches, Waco ISD is taking a different route.
“Allowing students to keep their devices in their belongings with them throughout the school day,” King-Knowles explained.
Yet, violations will have consequences.
Students caught with devices out during school hours will have them confiscated, and “they will not be allowed for pick up until the following school day.”
The district remains confident in its technological infrastructure, noting that school-provided devices can meet educational needs.
“The district has devices that we use and there is the ability for all students on a given campus to have access to the resources that are needed,” King-Knowles said.
King-Knowles said the legislation is grounded in educational research supporting reduced device access during learning time.
“Growing research consistently shows us that when a device is out and accessible and on, that it impedes learning,” King-Knowles explained.
To ensure smooth implementation, King-Knowles is encouraging parents to discuss the new rules with their children and familiarize themselves with the student code of conduct.
“Have conversations with them, know the student code of conduct, so get in and make sure you’re familiar with the student code of conduct and what happens if we slip and we have our device out,” she advised.
The deputy superintendent warned that resistance could escalate situations unnecessarily.
“If there’s resistance or reluctance, it can escalate and then become a different part of the student code of conduct,” King-Knowles cautioned.
