ATLANTA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – Texas House Bill 1481 prohibits the use of “personal communication devices” by students while on school property in public and open-enrollment charter schools across the state.
Some schools in the state have similar cell phone policies that were implemented before the 2025-2026 school year. But to the Atlanta Independent School District, this change is brand new.
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Atlanta High School Principal Nancy Rinehart says students have three options: they can leave their phones at home, in their car if they drive to school, or in a locker with a lock provided by the school.
Rinehart shares that despite it being so early in the school year, she is hopeful the new policy will allow students to be more present in the learning environment.
“Students are so used to being on their phone that sometimes they do get distracted, or if they hear it buzz or something, they’re paying attention to that more than they are to the lesson,” she says.
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Ninth-grade English teacher Adreal Durmon is already seeing a positive difference in her students.
“I see more kids talking to each other. And I do see that they are more focused in class and we’re getting more stuff done without the kickback of the distractions,” she shares.
A common concern in states with bans on cell phone use in schools is communication between parents and students in emergencies. But Principal Rinehart explains that if a parent has a message they need to relay to their student, they can call the office, and the message will be passed along.
While teachers and administrators say the new cell phone policy is beneficial for everyone in the district, what are the thoughts of parents and students?
Shelley Endsley has a ninth grader at Atlanta High, and her only concern is knowing if after-school activities will end later than usual. But she trusts the school will provide proper communication in those cases, and she appreciates the peace and quiet during the school day.
“I don’t have to worry about one of my kids calling and saying, ‘Bring me lunch. Hey, can I go home?’ That part is extremely nice, because that gets old,” Endsley says.
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But to senior Kiersten Underwood, she is on the fence about how she feels about the new rules.
She understands why they were put in place and the benefits they have, but it feels like she is missing out on an essential part of being a senior.
“It does also sucks that we don’t get to have memories, especially being a senior, I don’t get to have my memory of senior year in my phone and stuff,” she says.
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The Texas Education Agency website states that cell phone policies must be implemented by September 18, 2025. Exceptions must be written for students with documented medical needs or with Individualized Education Plans (IEP)/Section 504 Plans.
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