New student device practices in compliance with state law for 2025-2026

In the 89th Texas Legislative Session, state lawmakers passed a bill later signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott that will prohibit students from using personal digital communication devices during the school day.

This law expands upon practices implemented in the 2024-2025 school year that limited the student usage of smartphones and similar personal devices. Northwest ISD is in the process of adopting a policy in compliance with the new state law. Personal digital communications devices that are prohibited for student use during the school day as defined by the law include:

• Smartphones
• Laptops and tablets
• Smartwatches
• Earbuds and earphones
• Portable gaming devices

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, these devices will not be allowed for student usage during the school day. Because of voter approval of the 2023 bond election, every secondary student will be assigned a new school-issued Chromebook, while elementary students will continue to use classroom sets of Chromebooks. While personally owned student devices are subject to the new law, including student-owned laptops, school-issued devices such as Chromebooks will continue to be used for educational purposes.

Please note students can continue to leave smartphones in their backpacks in case of emergency. Northwest ISD strongly believes students should have immediate access to communication devices in the event of a crisis. Additionally, students who have medical devices for health reasons will be allowed to use these devices. Families should coordinate with their school nurse if their students use personal medical devices.

In accordance with the new state law, additional information regarding disciplinary responses to students who use prohibited personal digital communication devices will be announced in the coming weeks.