During the recent legislative session, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 into law. The bill prohibits students from using personal communication devices on school campuses during school hours. This measure is intended to improve student focus, minimize distractions, and address cyberbullying.
The policy applies to a range of devices, including cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, smart watches, Bluetooth earbuds, fitness trackers with messaging capabilities, personal laptops or Chromebooks, two-way radios, pagers, and any wearable technology capable of digital communication or telecommunication. All such devices must be turned off and stored away for the entire school day, including lunchtime.
There are exceptions for students who have documented needs to use a device as part of an individualized education program (IEP), Section 504 accommodation plan, individualized health plan, or similar program.
For any violation of the policy:
– School staff will instruct students to surrender their device.
– Students are required to comply.
– Staff will secure the device in a designated location.
– Parents or guardians will be notified.
– The incident will be documented.
If a student refuses to hand over their device when asked by staff members, this is considered insubordination and constitutes a violation of the Student Success Guide. In such cases, an administrator will be informed and further disciplinary action may occur.
Disciplinary actions escalate with repeated offenses:
– For a first offense: The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day.
– For a second offense: A parent or guardian must pick up the device; supportive intervention for the student may also be recommended.
– For a third offense: The parent can collect the device on the next school day or arrange an earlier conference; additional consequences may apply at an administrator’s discretion according to guidelines in the Student Success Guide.
– For fourth and subsequent offenses: The device is held for 48 hours unless a parent conference is arranged; further consequences remain possible as determined by campus administration in alignment with district policies.
Each campus will maintain a secure storage area for confiscated devices and keep records identifying ownership. All staff members are authorized to confiscate prohibited devices and deliver them to storage. While schools commit to reasonable care for these items while in their possession, they do not accept liability if a device is lost or damaged during that time.
“El propósito de la ley es aumentar la concentración, reducir las distracciones y frenar el ciberacoso,” states official guidance from Austin Independent School District regarding implementation of House Bill 1481.
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