East Texas schools consider possible cell phone ban

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Education has been a hot topic of discussion as of late and now lawmakers and administration are looking at the use of phones in school.

“We’ve been dealing with cell phones now for over 20 years inside of schools,” Dr. Marty Crawford, Tyler ISD superintendent, said.

During a senate committee meeting the Texas Education Commissioner raised concerns about students using cell phones while in a learning environment.

“From my perspective, cell phones are extremely harmful for student learning, and if it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state,” Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said.

The superintendent of the largest school district in East Texas said he agrees that cell phones can interrupt learning and believes there should be a discussion about it.

“They have been a distraction, but it seems now more than ever because of social media,” Crawford said.

Tyler and Nacogdoches ISD have policies in place to reduce the use of phones on campus, but they haven’t banned them.

“The cell phone cannot become a disruption in the classroom setting and allows for cell phones to be confiscated if necessary,” Les Linebarger, Nacogdoches ISD chief marketing and communication officer, said.

With so many districts in East Texas of varying sizes, it will take a lot for schools to make sure students aren’t using their cell phones if there is a ban

“It’s going to take all of us to do it, the social media companies, the cell phone companies, the legislature, and your local school systems in your community to get behind recognizing this is an issue and to do something about it,” Crawford said.

Lawmakers have suggested presenting bills to fund magnetic pouches for Texas schools or other ways to limit usage. Nacogdoches ISD is already sampling some of these ideas.

“There are containers that teachers can use where they have students put their phone in that container while they’re in class time and that’s a tool that many of our teachers at the middle school take advantage of,” Linebarger said.

Districts say to move into the future, these hard discussions are needed to make sure every student gets the best education possible. The topic of a possible cellphone ban for schools is now being considered for the 89th legislative session which begins in January.

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