Districts across North Texas prepare for new state law restricting student cellphone use. Fort Worth ISD is considering a policy that could take effect immediately.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Districts across Texas are making decisions about student cellphone use ahead of a new state law taking effect this fall. On Tuesday, Fort Worth ISD joined that list.
During a board meeting on Tuesday, the district is set to vote on a proposed policy that could change what students can bring or use during the school day.
The changes are in response to House Bill 1481, which goes into effect Sept. 1. The law requires all public schools to adopt rules limiting or prohibiting students from using personal communication devices such as cellphones, smartwatches, earbuds, and tablets during school hours.
In Fort Worth, leaders are considering a policy that would require students to power off and store their phones away for the entire school day. The district’s proposed slogan: “Put it away. Learn today.”
Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar said while she understands parent concerns, the district’s goal is to cut down on classroom distractions while keeping communication lines open before and after school.
“When we have parents upset about state law, we understand,” Molinar said. “But you have to know our approach at Fort Worth ISD is to protect instructional time while giving you access to your kids before and after school hours.”
Steven Poole, Executive Director of the United Educators Association, discussed the issue in public comment during the board meeting.
“Teachers and principals are gonna be the frontline of this policy, and there’s gonna be pushback from students and parents. Will they have your support?” Poole said. “Who’s going to have their back when they start confiscating cell phones and turning them into the office?”
The district is also weighing disciplinary measures for students who don’t comply. That could include an initial verbal warning. Students who repeatedly violate the proposed rule would face escalated disciplinary action, including phone confiscation, a phone call to a parent, and in-school suspension.
The district said changes would take effect immediately after Tuesday’s vote, and the new rules would be implemented at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
How other districts are responding
Districts across North Texas are also making changes:
- Allen ISD added new language to its student code of conduct prohibiting use of all personal communication devices from Pre-K through 12th grade. That includes phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, and wireless headphones. The new rules take effect Aug. 12.
- Irving ISD will use Yondr pouches for middle and high school students to lock away devices. Elementary students will be required to store powered-off phones in their backpacks. The district begins enforcement Aug. 13.
- Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD) said it is actively revising its policy and plans to begin enforcement on the first day of school, pending board approval.
- Grand Prairie ISD said it is meeting this week to determine how to revise and communicate updates with families.
- Northwest ISD is implementing a full ban starting in the 2025–2026 school year. All personal communication devices—including smartphones, earbuds, and tablets—will be restricted during school hours. Students will instead use district-issued Chromebooks.
Other major districts, including Dallas ISD, Richardson ISD, and Wylie ISD have already adopted school-day phone bans and are reviewing those policies for further compliance with the new law.
While many teachers support the effort to limit distractions, some parents have voiced concern about being unable to reach their children during emergencies. The law does allow for medical exceptions, and many districts are emphasizing that students can be contacted through the school office during the day.
