Cell Phone Policies in Bryan Schools: Striking a Balance Between Engagement and Distraction

Cell Phone Policies in Bryan: A Balancing Act for Schools

In Bryan, Texas, as cell phone use and technology continue to grow, schools are reevaluating their policies to better engage students while keeping them focused in class. Two local districts, College Station ISD and Leon ISD, have taken different approaches to managing cell phone use among students.

The College Station ISD Approach

At College Station ISD, students are allowed to bring their cell phones to school and even use them during class—if they have permission from their teachers. As Superintendent Tim Harkrider explains, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between allowing technology as a learning tool and minimizing distractions. “A lot of people have strong feelings, you know, both sides,” he said. “Some [say] phones should never be in schools, and you have other folks that [say], ‘absolutely my kid needs to have their phone on them at all times.’ So, there’s that balance.”

According to the student handbook, teachers at College Station ISD can decide when it’s appropriate for students to use their devices, allowing them to enhance learning at suitable moments. Superintendent Harkrider points out that one major issue for students is the distractions from social media platforms. “What kids post on Instagram, Snapchat, and the other different platforms; that’s probably the biggest distraction,” he noted. “We want to have the conversation about how to keep students engaged while incorporating technology effectively.”

Leon ISD Takes a Different Route

Meanwhile, Leon ISD has rolled out a new policy this year that aims to keep student phones off during the school day. According to Superintendent Clint Sadler, the main goal is to eliminate distractions so students can be more focused. “We want to remove as many distractions as [we] possibly can,” said Sadler. He explained that in the modern classroom, cell phones can cause a constant barrage of notifications, pulling students’ attention away from their studies.

In Leon ISD, the policy is straightforward: all phones must be turned off and stowed away. If a student is caught using their device after receiving one verbal warning, the phone is confiscated and passed to the administration. “There was a policy in the past and it was not zero-tolerance… It really put a lot of pressure on our teachers,” shared Superintendent Sadler. “Now, that responsibility is clear.”

Statewide Perspectives on Cell Phone Use

The issue has garnered attention at the state level as well, with Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath openly expressing his desire to see cell phone bans across schools statewide. During a recent Senate Education Committee hearing, he stated, “If it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state.” Interestingly, schools across Texas have successfully implemented bans, illustrating that effective leadership can bring about change without requiring new legislation.

Leon ISD’s strict policy has resulted in a noticeable decrease in cell phone usage, according to Superintendent Sadler. “January last year, I saw a lot more cell phone usage than I see now,” he remarked. “I’m sure that there are situations that occur where that happens, but at the same time, I do believe that it’s gone down, and I do believe that our engagement from our students has gone up.”

Looking Ahead

As the academic year progresses, College Station ISD is set to reevaluate its cell phone policy with the help of the community. Superintendent Harkrider plans to send out surveys to gather insights from parents, teachers, and students. “We’re going to have conversations with principals on the positives and negatives,” he noted. “We also will survey our staff as well as our parents to get feedback on cell phone use and see where our community is to see if it’s something that we want to take a look at for the 25-26 school year.”

As these schools navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and student engagement, it will be intriguing to see how their policies develop to find the right balance that works for everyone.