- Fort Worth Independent School District has implemented a new rule that bans students from using mobile phones and other personal electronic gadgets throughout the school day.
- Pupils are allowed to store their mobile devices in their bags provided they are muted or switched off, and they may utilize them before or following the school day.
- The guideline is a reaction to a new state regulation affecting all public schools in Texas.
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Independent School District has implemented a new rule regarding cellphones, along with various penalties for students who break the policy.
Here are the updates that parents and students should be aware of.
Fort Worth Independent School District Cellphone Regulations
What we know
On Tuesday evening, the Fort Worth ISD school board voted to implement a new rule that prohibits students from using cellphones throughout the school day.
This implies that no mobile phones, smartwatches, wireless earphones, Bluetooth headsets, tablets, gaming consoles, or any other gadgets meant for texting, calling, social networking, or video streaming are allowed in the classrooms, during hallway transitions, or during lunch breaks.
They will only be allowed on campus prior to and following school hours.
Fort Worth ISD’s policy permits students to retain their devices. They must be switched off or set to silent mode and stored away.
Individuals found using their gadgets throughout the day may encounter repercussions starting with a verbal caution for the initial violation, followed by the device being taken away, an in-school detention, and additional disciplinary measures for subsequent infractions.
Only a small number of students are exempt due to confirmed medical or learning requirements.
For further information regarding the policy, visithttps://www.fwisd.org/community/pcdpolicy.
What they’re saying
The area stated that it recognizes there continues to be a requirement for student mobile phones.
“It’s crucial that they continue to have access before and after school, especially if they are participating in after-school programs or walking home. There remains a need for them to have the devices in their backpacks or pockets,” said Erin Gregg, a spokeswoman for Fort Worth ISD.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar expects parents to support the implementation of the new policy while students are at school.
We are requesting our parents’ support in understanding the significance of this new state law. This is not a district policy; it is a state law that we are putting into effect through a district policy,” she stated. “We do not want our teachers to spend their time overseeing cellphones.
Dig deeper
The updated policy from Fort Worth ISD is a reaction to House Bill 1481, which has recently been enacted. This law mandates that all public school districts in the state develop a policy that bans the use of cellphones, tablets, and other personal communication devices on school grounds.
Several North Texas school districts have implemented different methods for upholding the law.
Certain school districts, such as Richardson Independent School District and Irving Independent School District, implement rules that mandate students to keep their phones in designated cases, which are accessible at the conclusion of the school day.
Other areas such as Keller, and Grapevine-Colleyville allow students to have their phones provided they are not in use.
Dallas ISD has not yet revealed its plan for implementing the law.
The details in this narrative are sourced from the Fort Worth Independent School District, comments provided by the district’s superintendent and media representative, and previous news reports.
