Latest news with #schoolpolicy
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
New Texas law pushes Coastal Bend schools to ban cell phones in schools
After Texas lawmakers took action to keep students off their cell phones during the school day, Coastal Bend schools are grappling with how to enforce the law. From locked device pouches to school day bans, here's how some area schools are approaching personal student devices in the 2025-26 academic year. The Corpus Christi Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using devices during the school day on July 28, though the district has yet to announce specifics, including what the consequences will be if students disobey. If a student violates the policy, the district will confiscate the device. State law lays out two ways for school districts to comply: Either school districts can prohibit students from bringing devices onto school property, or districts can designate a method for storing a student's personal device during the school day. Corpus Christi ISD opted for the second method, with the district's new policy stating that while on school property students shall store any personal communication device 'in accordance with administrative regulations.' What exactly this means is not yet clear. The school board is expected to approve updates to the Student Code of Conduct outlining implementation of the policy during a future meeting ahead of the start of school on Aug. 11. However, district staff indicated during the meeting that the designated storage method might be as simple as requiring that any personal device be powered down and put away in the student's backpack. This is a slightly stricter approach to student cell phones than has previously been implemented in Corpus Christi ISD, though the district has made moves to limit student devices before. Last year, the district mandated that elementary and middle school students keep any devices turned off and put up during the entire school day, while high school students were required to keep their devices off and away during class. High school students were allowed to use their devices during lunch and between classes last year. Now, school staff should not see or hear a student's cell phone during the school day — not during class time or any other part of the school day, including lunch and passing periods. Gregory-Portland ISD The Gregory-Portland Independent School District is taking a different approach. Last week, the district announced that it is introducing pouches to securely store devices during the school day. At the middle and high school campuses, students will be issued a CellockED pouch. At the elementary level, pouches will be used as needed. Students will put their devices in their sealed pouch each morning. At the end of the day, they will be able to unlock their pouches. Students who check out of school early will be able to unlock their pouch at the front office. The pouches can be unlocked at designated unlock stations on campus. The pouches are unsealed using magnets, similar to security tags used at retail stores, according to the district. According to a district informational webpage, magnets will also be mounted in strategic locations across campus so that students can access their devices in case of an emergency. There is also a phone capable of dialing 911 in each classroom. Parents can communicate with their child during the school day by contacting the front office. Gregory-Portland ISD has created a video explaining the new policy. The video and more information about the policy are available online at Flour Bluff ISD Other districts, like the Flour Bluff Independent School District, are still considering their policies, with plans to share updated guidelines before the start of the school year. 'As we review the new legislation in full, we want to reassure our community that many of the bill's guidelines are already reflected in current district practices,' Flour Bluff ISD Superintendent Chris Steinbruck said in a letter to families. 'However, we are taking this opportunity to assess and refine campus-level procedures to ensure consistency and full compliance across all grade levels.' Tuloso-Midway ISD The Tuloso-Midway Independent School District has already started the 2025-26 school year, but hasn't yet taken action in response to the new legislation. Tuloso-Midway ISD Superintendent Steve VanMatre said in an email that the district began the school year under the 2024-25 policy and is currently receiving guidance on the policy. Staff will make a recommendation to the school board on Aug. 18. The new legislation has not arrived without some opposition. A Flour Bluff ISD student started a petition, which has since closed, with several signers expressing enjoyment of digital socialization and concerns about communicating during emergencies. But Texas public schools are bound by state law. What the Texas law says House Bill 1481, governing student use of personal communication devices in public and open-enrollment charter schools, was approved by both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate this spring. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in late June. The law defines personal communication devices as phones, including smartphones and flip phones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices or any electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. Excluded from the law are any school-issued electronic devices. Schools across the state provide students with electronic devices for educational purposes. Corpus Christi ISD students use Chromebooks. But public and charter school students are prohibited from using personal communication devices on school property during the school day. However, there is an exception for students with disabilities if a device is needed to implement their individualized education program plan and for students with a documented need as determined by a qualified physician or if it is necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement. The law doesn't apply to adult education programs. Over the past two years, some parents and educators in the Coastal Bend community have raised the alarm about the impact smartphones can have on children's mental health, as well as on maintaining a productive educational environment. Back to school: What to know about calendars, resources and new rules in Corpus Christi From the brink of extinction, wintering whooping crane counts rise Nueces County examines fraud risk, irregularities from former county auditor's office Can AI predict flooding? A&M-Corpus Christi project focuses on Oso Creek This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas law pushes Coastal Bend schools to ban cell phones in schools Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee school won't accept doctor's notes for absences
(NewsNation) — One Tennessee school district will no longer accept doctors' notes to excuse an absence despite objections from parents. Lawrence County School System officials said the school is instituting the policy to teach students work ethic and reliability, saying that students will be expected to go to work sick or injured as adults. It is also intended to address chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10 percent or more of instructional time. In the 2023-2024 school year, Lawrence County had a 14 percent rate of chronic absenteeism. With no federally mandated sick leave, many Americans do go to work when sick, but public health officials advise against it. Staying home when sick can reduce the spread of viruses like the flu and COVID-19 and protect vulnerable people in the community. The new attendance policy says students will simply be marked absent or present, with no options for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, need to stay home to recover or to prevent spreading contagious illnesses to their classmates. The policy is meant to help improve attendance rates, but parents have objected, noting that an absence for an illness like the flu could now mean a referral to the Lawrence County Juvenile Court for truancy. Children who get sick at school or are sent to school sick and sent home by a nurse will be counted as tardy. Three tardies will equal an absence. The new policy also says schools will start intervention after just three days, and eight or more days marked absent will result in a court referral. Other penalties could include failing a class or grade, not being allowed to participate in graduation or get a driver's license or permit. There will be exemptions for students with documented chronic illnesses and emergencies out of the student's control, as well as allowances for deaths in the family and some religious observances. The school district sent a letter to medical providers asking them to emphasize regular school attendance and warning that medical notes could imply students should stay home even after their health improves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Fort Worth schools prepare for cellphone ban as Texas law limits use during school hours
When the school year starts, in districts across the state, students won't be able to use cellphones or certain other electronics during the school day due to a new law that leaves a lot of the details up to individual schools and school districts. The Fort Worth Independent School District is deciding on its policy now. Fort Worth ISD parent Adrienne Hayes has a 16-year-old and says she knows just how distracting a cellphone can be. "There's been times where he's veered off on YouTube or done other things instead of being engaged in the lesson," said Hayes. However, when it comes to Texas' new law banning cellphone use in K-12 schools, she says she sees both sides. "Academically, I think it will strengthen our kids, being able to reengage in the curriculum," Hayes said. "Considering the state of the world today, it could be a sense of security for parents, as well as for kids having access to them." "So, when we have our parents who are upset about this state law that has been implemented, we understand," said Dr. Karen Molinar, the Fort Worth ISD Superintendent. "But you need to know our approach for FWISD is to protect our instructional time; however, still give you access to your student before and after school hours." At Monday's school board meeting, a policy that aligns with Texas' new law was presented. Under the new rules, students will start with a verbal warning, then for repeat offenders, the punishment can escalate to contacting parents, phone confiscation, parent-teacher conferences, and even in-school suspension. Parents are being told to call the front office if they need to reach a student throughout the school year. Steven Poole, the head of the United Educators Association, says he's concerned about the teachers.. "Who is going to have their back when they start confiscating cellphones, turning them into the office, when students and parents start pushing back on this policy?" Poole asked. The policy, if it passes, would start on the first day of school.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Knox County school board approves all-day phone, watch and tablet restriction
The Knox County school board approved a restrictive policy on access to smart devices in schools, meaning students will only have access to phones, watches and tablets before and after school. The policy change follows a new Tennessee law restricting access for devices including smart phones, tablets, watches and more. Knox County Schools had a similar policy in place, but the board members agreed on an updated policy tightening use by students. The board approved the policy with six yes votes, two no votes and one pass during its July 10 meeting. Board members had options to allow students to access their devices at the lunch periods or between classes, but declined to approve those. Principals have the discretion to allow phones for work during class time, and students can carry them in backpacks or purses as long as they are kept out of reach. Students are allowed to use their phones during emergencies. The change applies in the new academic year in August. Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County school board approves all-day phone restriction
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Missouri bans use of cellphones in schools with new state law
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Students across the Show-Me state will see sweeping new cell phone restrictions starting in the upcoming school year in K-12 classrooms, part of a new law signed Tuesday that includes exceptions for certain emergencies. The measure is part of a wide-ranging education bill — Senate Bill 68 — that was signed Tuesday by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. The policy states that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, each Missouri K-12 school district, including charter schools, must have a written policy restricting students' use of phones. The policy must include prohibiting students from displaying or using the device during the entire school day, including during instructional time, mealtimes and between classes, with certain exceptions for things like medical emergencies, natural disasters and other circumstances identified by a district. In a statement to News-Press NOW, St. Joseph School District Superintendent Ashley McGinnis said the district will be updating its handbooks and suggesting policy changes for the board that align with the new law, as well as providing communication to staff and families. Senate Bill 68 addresses several school-related issues, including the impact of student cell phone use. Research continues to show that phones can be a major distraction from learning and lead to increased discipline challenges for teachers. We believe this part of the bill will support a focused learning environment for all students," the statement read. Currently, the St. Joseph School District prohibits cell phone usage at any point of the day for elementary students. For middle and high schoolers, they are only allowed to have their phone before school, during lunch and after school. Cell phones are regularly monitored by teachers, campus supervisors, principals, lunchroom staff and other adults in the building. On the first offense, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by the student. On subsequent offenses, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by a parent, consequences may include loss of privilege and the development of an individualized check-in plan. The bill does not require phones to be locked away, meaning school board officials will have to decide whether devices will be put in designated areas or if students can keep the devices with them. "It will be a big change ... as a member of the school board I know the importance of eliminating as many extra distractions in the classroom as we can. and so, I think it's a good thing," she said. "I want for people to realize what you did before cell phones, you were still able to contact your children at school if need be." She anticipates changes will receive push back from students and even parents who have become dependent on cell phones for direct communication during school. Williams said cellphone overuse is a challenge that isn't limited to K-12 schools, calling it the "number one" challenge for many before and after-school programs locally as well. She stressed that parents will have to be a critical part of the equation to build healthier cell phone habits outside of school that can then be applied to school and life. "I'm just asking the parents. We need your help. I know these are your children, and you want access on your children at all times, but our job at the school district is to educate those kids," she said. "If the parents will help us implement these rules, it will be easier on the district to implement them. Each district will be required to describe how it intends to discipline students if they violate the policy, as well as any exceptions to allow for cell phone usage in certain circumstances. Phones are also permitted when necessary to ensure compliance with federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, including for Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Polling conducted by Saint Louis University and YouGov this year showed widespread voter support for banning cell phones in schools, with over 70% of likely Missouri voters favoring prohibiting students from accessing cell phones during regular instructional activities across all K–12 schools. The bill also says that a school district or charter school employee or volunteer will be immune from any liability if the employee or volunteer acts in good faith and follows the proper disciplinary procedures.
