WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A state lawmaker is working to introduce legislation that would implement the “cell phone free movement” in all Texas schools.

Killeen ISD previously announced it would implement a new “cell phone free” initiative for the 2024-2025 school year, and Temple ISD said it is already prepared to help students reduce screen time during class this school year.

“They are not allowed to access them during school time, so we purchased cell phone lockers for every single classroom,” said Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple ISD.

At the Capitol, House Representative for the state’s 19th District Ellen Troxclair is proposing that students in all Texas schools be required to put their phones away for the entire day.

“My proposal is to encourage school districts across the state to adopt policies that allow students to carry their cell phones with them from first ring to last, but store them in a Yondr type of bag,” Troxclair said.

Troxclair said studies show that students benefit from putting their phones away during school hours, which motivated her to start the “cell phone free movement.”

Dr. Ott says his team also conducted research with parents and staff to find out what was best for students.

To set expectations for cell phone use this year, the school district reported that 80% of parents agreed that students should be allowed to use their phones outside of class.

“I see the value in this and therefore I certainly agree with the legislature’s view. However, I think we have to be very cautious. My experience is that these things work best when they are handled at the level that is closest to reality, and that is our parents and our staff,” said Dr. Ott.

Temple ISD purchased the phone lockers for $40 a piece. Troxclair says she hopes to help schools fund the high-tech approaches and says she’s getting a lot of bipartisan support.

“I would like to see money appropriated in the legislative session in January to cover the cost of these bags,” Troxclair said. “The response from legislators has been absolutely overwhelmingly positive.”

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