Beginning this fall, students in Lamar Consolidated Independent School District will no longer be allowed to use phones or personal electronic devices during the school day, following a statewide mandate signed into law through House Bill 1481. The district officially approved the enforcement of this new Inappropriate Use of Personal Communication Device Policy during a Special Called Board Meeting on August 12, 2025.

The law, now in effect across all public schools in Texas, prohibits students from using personal communication devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, radios, or any device capable of telecommunication—anytime during the school day or while on school property.

Under the policy, students must power off and store their devices in backpacks or lockers before stepping onto campus. Devices are not permitted in clothing pockets and must remain out of sight from the moment the student arrives until the final instructional bell rings.

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Clear Guidelines, Strong Consequences

The Lamar CISD Student Code of Conduct outlines escalating consequences for students who violate the policy:

• 1st Offense: Device confiscated, parent notified, and parent must pick up the phone after school.

• 2nd Offense: Confiscation, 3 days of In School Suspension (ISS), parent notification, and exclusion from extracurricular activities during ISS.

• 3rd Offense: Out of School Suspension (OSS) for 3 days, extracurricular ban, and loss of academic exemptions.

• 4th and 5th Offenses: Assignment to the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) for 10 days, UIL disqualification for the semester, and after the 5th offense, the device must be stored in the front office for the remainder of the year.

If a confiscated device is not picked up within 90 days of written notice, it will be turned over to the Lamar CISD Police Department at 3911 Avenue I in Rosenberg to be destroyed.

Parents are advised that calls or texts during the school day do not justify phone usage. Emergencies should be routed through the school’s front office. Likewise, students who need to make emergency calls during the day may do so using phones located in the classroom, nurse’s office, or front office.

Bell Schedules and Enforcement Windows

The policy applies during the entire instructional day for each campus level:

• Elementary A: 7:15 AM – 2:40 PM

• Elementary B: 7:45 AM – 3:10 PM

• Middle/Jr. High: 9:05 AM – 4:30 PM

• High School: 8:25 AM – 3:50 PM

The rules apply from the moment students enter campus until dismissal.

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Why Phones Are Being Phased Out: A Look at the Research

Supporters of HB 1481 argue that the law helps restore focus, minimize distractions, and improve school culture. In fact, research supports the potential benefits.

A landmark study from the London School of Economics found that test scores among 16-year-olds improved significantly in schools that banned cell phone use. The study also noted particularly strong benefits for lower-achieving students, suggesting the policy may help close achievement gaps.

Closer to home, the American Psychological Association reports that device use during class correlates with lower retention, reduced attention span, and decreased academic performance. "Even just having a phone within reach, even if it’s not being used, can reduce cognitive capacity," according to a 2017 study cited by APA.

Additionally, educators nationwide have pointed to the impact of social media and group messaging on school-day stress and student relationships. 

However, critics of blanket phone bans caution that such policies may limit students' ability to build digital literacy or access emergency communication when needed. Groups like Common Sense Media advocate for more nuanced policies that balance safety and modern learning tools with distraction management.

Still, Texas lawmakers took a clear stance. With HB 1481 now law, districts like Lamar CISD are tasked with enforcing it equitably, while continuing to support students and families in adjusting to the change.

What Lamar CISD Families Should Do Next

Parents and guardians are encouraged to:

• Speak with their students about the new policy before the first day of school.

• Establish off-campus communication routines (e.g., “text me at 3:50 PM after the bell”).

• Contact the school office, not students directly, in the event of an emergency.

• Retrieve confiscated devices promptly if notified.

Any questions about the policy can be directed to your child’s campus or via email to Info@LCISD.org. 

As schools across Texas adjust to this statewide policy shift, Lamar CISD is hoping the change will foster more focused classrooms, less digital distraction, and healthier boundaries around technology.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on back-to-school policies, family resources, and education news across Fort Bend County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.