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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency on the effects of |
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school district policies prohibiting student use of personal |
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communication devices. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.028 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.028. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATION |
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DEVICE PROHIBITIONS IN SCHOOLS. (a) The agency shall conduct a |
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study regarding the effect of school district policies that |
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prohibit a student from using a personal communication device, |
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including a cell phone, while on school property. |
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(b) The study must identify and examine schools with |
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comparable longitudinal student data, including: |
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(1) student population size; |
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(2) percentage of students demonstrating college, |
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career, or military readiness; |
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(3) percentage of students receiving special |
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education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29; |
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(4) percentage of emergent bilingual students, as |
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defined by Section 29.052; |
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(5) standardized test results before the school's |
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personal communication device policy was implemented; |
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(6) economic and gender demographics; |
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(7) total state funds returned to the school; and |
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(8) any other data the agency determines necessary. |
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(c) The agency shall assess schools identified under |
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Subsection (b) to determine the effects of prohibiting student use |
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of personal communication devices on: |
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(1) standardized test results; |
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(2) teacher turnover rates; |
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(3) student dropout rates; |
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(4) college, career, and military readiness outcomes; |
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and |
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(5) if available, teacher job satisfaction rates. |
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(d) In conducting the study, the agency may collaborate with |
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other state agencies, schools, nonprofit corporations, and other |
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interested persons. |
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(e) Not later than December 1, 2026, the agency shall: |
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(1) prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the |
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legislature a written report on the results of the study and any |
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recommendations for legislative or other action; and |
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(2) post the report described by Subdivision (1) on |
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the agency's Internet website. |
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(f) This section expires January 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |