TEA commissioner endorses banning cell phones in classrooms

The contentious idea of banning cell phones in Texas classrooms was recently endorsed by Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath during a Senate Education Committee hearing.

“At least from my perspective, cell phones are extremely harmful for student learning,” stated Morath. “And if it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state.”

“So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”

Morath also mentioned that there are many schools across Texas which have already taken steps to ban cell phones.

“Administratively, this is a very doable thing from the school perspective. In society, that’s a different question. I will stop at the boundary of the school for my recommendations.”

Sens. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) both commented positively about the prospect of banning cell phones in Texas schools, with Campbell noting that “some superintendents independently have just called for a ban of cell phones during school, and it works.”

“So while we will make an attempt legislatively to ban cell phones from class” Campbell continued, “we have seen superintendents have done it independently and they are successful.”

“So everything doesn't take legislation. It takes leadership.”

Keller Independent School District (ISD) is one such district that will ban student cell phone use during the school day.

Rep. Ellen Troxlair (R-Boerne) has become one of the most vocal opponents of cell phone use by children during school hours. She penned an op-ed in The Daily Signal that stated, “Removing the temptation during school hours will unchain our students from the technocratic overlords who are monetizing the destruction of their brains.”

Troxclair pointed to research presented by social scientist Johnathon Haidt and his proposed solutions, which include “allowing no smartphones before age 14, no social media until age 16, phone-free classrooms, and more free play time.”

“Every state should rise to this challenge and give school districts the tools and support they need to make this a reality,” wrote Troxclair. “I will be filing a bill in the Texas Legislature to do just that.”

A number of different states have enacted or recommended policies limiting children’s cell phone use in schools. Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina have all prohibited access to personal electronic devices by students during the school day.