HB1446 - Relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency on the effects of school district policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices.

  89R3723 KRM-D     By: Goodwin H.B. No. 1446       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency on the effects of   school district policies prohibiting student use of personal   communication devices.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 38.028 to read as follows:           Sec.   38.028.     STUDY ON EFFECTS OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATION   DEVICE PROHIBITIONS IN SCHOOLS. (a)   The agency shall conduct a   study regarding the effect of school district policies that   prohibit a student from using a personal communication device,   including a cell phone, while on school property.           (b)     The study must identify and examine schools with   comparable longitudinal student data, including:                 (1)  student population size;                 (2)     percentage of students demonstrating college,   career, or military readiness;                 (3)     percentage of students receiving special   education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29;                 (4)     percentage of emergent bilingual students, as   defined by Section 29.052;                 (5)     standardized test results before the school's   personal communication device policy was implemented;                 (6)  economic and gender demographics;                 (7)  total state funds returned to the school; and                 (8)  any other data the agency determines necessary.           (c)     The agency shall assess schools identified under   Subsection (b) to determine the effects of prohibiting student use   of personal communication devices on:                 (1)  standardized test results;                 (2)  teacher turnover rates;                 (3)  student dropout rates;                 (4)     college, career, and military readiness outcomes;   and                 (5)  if available, teacher job satisfaction rates.           (d)     In conducting the study, the agency may collaborate with   other state agencies, schools, nonprofit corporations, and other   interested persons.           (e)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the agency shall:                 (1)     prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant   governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the   legislature a written report on the results of the study and any   recommendations for legislative or other action; and                 (2)     post the report described by Subdivision (1) on   the agency's Internet website.           (f)  This section expires January 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.