A new Texas law, House Bill 1481, will take effect starting with the 2025–2026 school year, and it brings important changes to how students can use cell phones during the school day.
What the Law Says
1) Students may not use cell phones during the instructional day.
2) Schools must adopt and enforce policies that limit or ban device use during learning time.
This law was passed to help students stay focused, reduce distractions in the classroom, and improve academic outcomes across Texas. Research continues to show that limiting phone use during school hours supports better attention, deeper learning, and healthier social interaction.
At Dawson ISD, we’re currently reviewing and updating our campus policies to align with this new law. While full details will be shared closer to the start of school, we wanted to give families an early heads-up. This gives everyone time to prepare for a more structured and distraction-free school environment this fall.
We appreciate your partnership and support as we work together to create the best learning space possible for our students. Let’s help them succeed—one focused day at a time!
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