Lake Highlands High School in Dallas has implemented a cellphone policy, leading to both praise and pushback from students and educators alike
Principal Kerri Jones noticed a change. Students were chatting and engaging with each other instead of staring at screens. The school has been using Yondr pouches for two years, and it’s become a model for other districts.
The Richardson Independent School District started this trend, and now many schools are investing in these pouches. Some state leaders are even considering a statewide ban on phones in classrooms.
Educators believe phones distract students and can lead to bullying. But the pouches come with a cost—about $25 per student. The district is spending around $300,000 for eight schools. In return, they say teachers have more time to teach, and discipline issues related to phones have decreased.
Most teachers support the policy, but students have mixed feelings. One senior, Adara McBeth, admitted she misses her phone but finds it easier to focus on her work now.
In Dallas ISD, a petition against the policy has gained traction, with over 1,800 signatures. Students feel that while some control is necessary, taking away phones all day seems excessive.
Principal Sarah Foster Arbaiza noted that students are used to having their phones all the time, so it feels like a big change for them. However, she’s seen a drop in bullying and classroom disruptions since the policy started.
Before the pouches, students often used their phones during class, which made it hard for teachers to keep their attention. Now, even if fights happen, students don’t pull out their phones to record them.
Last year, Lake Highlands saw a 42% drop in out-of-school suspensions. Some worry about emergencies, but Jones reassured that students can still email their families using school Chromebooks.
Math teacher Carolyn Vincent felt the need for the pouches after a lockdown incident where students were more focused on their phones than staying quiet.
While the system isn’t perfect—some students sneak in burner phones—administrators are working to explain the policy better to parents. Jones believes the main goal is simple: “Teachers can teach,” she said, and now kids are focused on learning.
