Fresh academic term in North Texas brings forth fresh legal regulations for school districts
Texas Schools Implement Strict Device Policies and Ten Commandments Posters
Two new laws are reshaping the educational landscape in Texas public schools. House Bill 1481 (HB 1481) and Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) are causing ripples in the education sector, with HB 1481 focusing on restricting student use of personal communication devices and SB 10 mandating the display of posters of the Ten Commandments.
HB 1481, effective from the new school year, requires Texas public schools to maintain distraction-free learning environments by restricting student use of personal communication devices during the entire school day. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, and any devices capable of calling, texting, recording, or internet access. Under HB 1481, students cannot use these devices at any time during school hours, including class, passing periods, lunch, and restroom breaks. Devices must be powered off or silenced and stored in backpacks, lockers, or secure pouches such as Yondr pouches, as used by Highland Park ISD.
Only district-issued laptops or iPads may be used for instructional purposes. School districts must have disciplinary consequences for violations, which escalate from device confiscation to requiring parental pickup and fines. Exceptions exist for emergencies approved by administrators.
SB 10, on the other hand, mandates the display of posters of the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools. Although districts are not required to pay for or provide the posters, if offered, schools must display them. However, SB 10 has been subject to legal challenges, with courts ruling that the law likely violates the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution. A lawsuit filed by 16 Texas families led to an injunction against enforcing the law in certain districts. The Texas attorney general is required by SB 10 to defend districts sued over the law.
Supporters claim the Ten Commandments are foundational to Western morality, while critics argue the law breaches church and state separation. Dallas ISD is awaiting further guidance on this matter.
Meanwhile, Dallas ISD has not had a situation where ICE agents have entered a school building. The district is communicating with parents to ask for consent for more in-depth surveys. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde has expressed concerns about cell phone use in emergencies, stating that they might provide a location for someone with ill intent.
Staffing in Dallas ISD is at more than 99.4%, the highest fill rate since 2014. Nearly every school vacancy districtwide has been filled. Parents are required to give consent for their children to participate in certain surveys.
The 2024 and 2025 district and school letter grades are due out on Friday. Elizalde has urged parents to update their electronic contact information in case of emergencies. Dallas schools will hold elementary students' phones in a secure location, while middle and high school students' phones will be locked in a soft pouch all day.
Elizalde also wants more guidance on Senate Bill 12, which eliminates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. Dallas schools will not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to wander the halls.
More than 70% of students in Dallas ISD are Hispanic, and nearly 20% are African American, according to state data. Starting on Tuesday, many North Texas school districts, including Dallas and Denton, have welcomed parents and students for the new school year.
For more information, contact Bill Zeeble, KERA's education reporter, at [email protected]. Nearly 93% of all schools in Dallas ISD are rated A, B, or C, and 72% of them are A's and B's. Teachers can still ask students about their well-being as they enter school.
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