As the new school year kicks off across the Houston area, students and parents are getting familiar with the various cell phone policies set by their respective school districts. These policies, designed to minimize distractions and maintain a focus on learning, vary from district to district. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in several Houston-area schools:
Angleton ISD
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In Angleton ISD, students are allowed to have cell phones for safety purposes, but they must be turned off during the school day unless being used for approved instructional purposes. Unauthorized use, especially in restricted areas like locker rooms, will result in the device being confiscated, with a $15 fee required for retrieval.
Barbers Hill ISD
Students at Barbers Hill ISD are allowed to possess cell phones for safety purposes, but these devices must remain turned off during the school day, including testing periods, unless being used for approved instructional purposes. Students may only possess other personal electronic devices, such as laptops or tablets, with prior approval. Cell phones and other devices capable of capturing images are strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restrooms. Unauthorized use of a telecommunications device will result in the device being confiscated, and it may be retrieved from the principal’s office by the student or parent for a $15 fee. Confiscated devices not claimed will be disposed of after a certain period as per district policy.
SEE ALSO: No cell phones and other new policies shaking up school districts across Southeast Texas
Bay City ISD
While students can have cell phones for safety purposes, these must remain turned off during the instructional day unless needed for an approved instructional activity. Unauthorized use, including capturing images in restricted areas like locker rooms, will result in confiscation, and the device may only be retrieved by a parent for a fee.
Brazosport ISD
Cell phones are completely prohibited at all times for students. If a cell phone is confiscated, parents have the following options for retrieving the device:
- Pay $20 to retrieve the phone within 48 hours.
- Pay $10 to retrieve the phone after one week.
- Pay nothing, and the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day on the final day of their assigned time.
Brazos ISD
Students are not permitted to use telecommunications devices, including cell phones or other electronic devices, in violation of district and campus rules. Any such use will be subject to disciplinary action according to school policy.
Boiling Springs ISD
Students in grades 6-12 are permitted to bring cell phones to school; however, they must remain out of sight and turned off throughout the school day. Any use of cell phones, including making or receiving calls or texts, is strictly prohibited. Violations result in increasing levels of disciplinary action, starting with phone confiscation and escalating to out-of-school suspension.
Burton ISD
In Burton ISD, students are allowed to have personal cell phones for safety purposes, but these devices must remain on “silent mode” during the instructional day and turned off during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. Students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices at school without prior permission. If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization, it will be confiscated. The first offense will result in the device being returned at the end of the school day. For a second offense, the device can only be picked up by a parent, and a third offense will require a $15 fee. The use of cell phones or devices capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restroom areas.
Calhoun ISD
In Calhoun ISD, students may only use their cell phones or other electronic devices during school if they comply with the school’s policies or receive approval from teachers. Unauthorized use or possession of such devices will result in confiscation, and the student’s parent may be required to meet with school administrators before the device is returned. Specific guidelines ensure that devices remain off and out of sight during the school day unless they are being used for approved educational purposes.
Centerville ISD
Centerville ISD prohibits the use of cell phones and electronic devices during class time unless under a teacher’s supervision for an educational purpose. Students are allowed to access their devices between class periods or during lunch, provided they do not cause instructional distractions. Repeated violations of this policy will lead to escalating consequences, ranging from a simple request to put the device away to having it confiscated and requiring a parent-teacher meeting.
Clear Creek ISD
Clear Creek ISD allows limited use of cell phones and one earbud before school, during lunch, and after school. In the classroom, cell phones may only be used with teacher permission. Misuse results in confiscation, and an administrative fee may be charged for device retrieval.
Columbus ISD
Students in Columbus ISD are prohibited from using any electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, and wearable technologies, to engage in harmful or inappropriate behaviors, such as sending harassing messages, cyberbullying, or posting obscene content. Misuse of wearable technologies, like smartwatches, is subject to the same rules as cell phones according to the student code of conduct.
Conroe ISD
The Conroe ISD has a comprehensive policy where cell phones and smartwatches must be silenced and stored in a designated area during class time. They may only be used before or after school unless a teacher grants permission for instructional purposes. Violations lead to confiscation and parental retrieval.
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
Students are required to turn off their cell phones and other technology devices upon entering the school building and place them in their backpacks. These devices are not allowed to be kept on a student’s person during the school day and are prohibited in hallways, cafeterias, locker rooms, and bathrooms during instructional hours. Technology, including cell phones, earbuds, laptops, iPads, Apple Watches, and headphones, may only be used during the instructional day with explicit teacher permission and solely for classroom instruction.
East Bernard ISD
Students are not allowed to use cell phones or other electronic devices during the school day in violation of district rules. Unauthorized use will result in confiscation, and the device will only be returned to the parent, sometimes with an associated fee.
East Chambers ISD
East Chambers ISD permits students to have cell phones for safety purposes, but these must be turned off during the school day, including testing times, unless used for approved educational purposes. Students may use their phones before school and during lunch, but not during class or between classes. Unauthorized use will result in confiscation, with the phone returned only after a $15 fee is paid. Persistent violations may lead to a ban on possessing a phone at school and could result in placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
Goose Creek CISD
Goose Creek CISD enforces a policy where cell phones can only be used before the first morning bell and after school. Unauthorized use during the school day will result in escalating disciplinary actions, starting with a verbal warning and leading up to parental involvement for repeat offenses.
Houston ISD
In Houston ISD schools, students are not permitted to use cell phones during the academic day. Students are required to leave their phones at home or keep them in their backpacks. If a teacher or administrator sees a cell phone on a student, whether in use or simply visible, they will confiscate the phone and take it to the office. The first time a phone is confiscated, the student can retrieve it after school. For repeat offenses, a parent or guardian must come to the school to pick up the phone.
Katy ISD
Katy ISD students in grades 3 through 12 will experience significant changes this school year. The district has eliminated the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, meaning students are no longer allowed to bring personal cell phones or devices to school. Instead, every student in these grades will be issued a Chromebook, which will be the only computing device permitted on campus. The change was prompted by teachers spending excessive time troubleshooting various issues across different devices.
Klein ISD
At Klein ISD, students are required to put away their phones and headphones before entering the school building and keep them stored throughout the school day. Any violation of this policy results in the phone being confiscated and held in the grade level discipline office, with parents required to retrieve it.
La Porte ISD
Similar to other districts, La Porte ISD allows students to have cell phones but mandates that they be turned off and stored during the school day. Confiscation rules apply for unauthorized use, with a retrieval fee of $15. Additionally, the use of cell phones in locker rooms or restrooms is strictly prohibited.
Montgomery ISD
Montgomery ISD has introduced changes to its cell phone policy, which were announced following a recent board workshop. Under the new guidelines, students are permitted to bring cell phones to campus, but the devices must be stored “away for the day.” This means phones should be kept in backpacks, lockers, or vehicles and turned off throughout the school day. The policy applies to all areas of the school, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and cafeterias, ensuring that phones are not used during instructional time or on school property during school hours.
Splendora ISD
In Splendora ISD, students are allowed to possess personal cell phones for safety reasons, but these devices must remain turned off during the school day, including during all testing unless being used for approved instructional purposes. Any unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices will result in confiscation, and the devices will only be returned to a parent who may be required to pay a $15 fee. Additionally, the use of any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restroom areas.
Spring ISD
Spring ISD students must keep their cell phones silenced and out of sight during instructional time. The district enforces a strict policy where repeated violations result in progressively severe consequences, from warnings to detentions.
Waller ISD
Students may have cell phones, but they must remain off during the instructional day unless used for instructional purposes. Unauthorized use leads to confiscation, and parents must pay a $15 fee for retrieval.
Willis ISD
In Willis ISD, there is a strict dress code and behavior policy that prohibits several items and practices on campus. Cell phones are also prohibited and will be confiscated until the end of the student’s placement or returned to the parent/guardian.