Are Phone-Free Rules Helping Students In The State Of Texas? One District Provides The Data

Many In Texas Have Wondered If Phone-Free Rules Would Provide Good Results.

The Lone Star State has seen an increase of these rules involving phones not being used during the school day. One of the districts including was Killeen, which announced the beginning of the plan to start in Fall of 2024. At the time of the announcement, District’s Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, Susan Buckley stated this:

“Phone-free schools will allow our students to better concentrate on schoolwork...It will encourage face-to-face interactions and the development of interpersonal skills that directly impact student success, which is our ultimate goal.”

The plan provided each student with a phone pouch. The student then would place the cellular device in the pouch for day, only getting certain permissions to take the phone out. But has it worked well overall?

Is The Data Showing Improvement With Phone-Free Rules In Texas?

Per a release from the school district, it seems like are definitely trending in the right direction. Data has shown less failing grades for students in school, the amount reported 600 in total. In addition, a 27% decrease in disciplinary actions has been documented.

An anonymous staff member also reported students socializing more, as revealed by the report:

“Students are engaging in actual talk during lunch instead of being glued to their cell phone screens. I’ve also noticed less bullying happening online through social media with their phones being put away during the school day.”

It certainly appears things are going well for the plan, and hopefully time will only show more growth for the students of not only Central Texas, but the state as a whole.