Grand Prairie Independent School District (ISD) Public Information Officer Sam Buchmeyer said that the district's new cell phone policy has enhanced classroom engagement and increased social interaction among students. Buchmeyer shared his statement with Lone Star Standard on Jan. 24.

"We have heard there is a greater level of engagement in the classroom as well as more socialization in hallways and the cafeteria," said Buchmeyer.

In addition to improving engagement, students are reportedly getting into less trouble under the new cell phone policy. According to an update given to the School Board in October, school staff reported a 39% decrease in discipline referrals at the district’s two high schools compared to a year prior before the policy was implemented.

Grand Prairie High School | Grand Prairie ISD website

The new policy, which prohibits the use of cell phones during school hours, was implemented by the district in August 2024. This decision followed a survey conducted with school staff, where 91% indicated that cell phones were causing classroom management issues, according to the Grand Prairie ISD website.

Buchmeyer said the new rules aim to "maximize instructional time, increase focus on learning, reduce behavioral issues and student altercations, improve SEL (social emotional learning) outcomes, and build resilience, persistence, and self-control."

According to the policy rules, all students must turn off their devices upon arriving on campus and place them in a lockable "Yondr" pouch provided by the school. The phone pouch must be stored away in bags or backpacks until the end of the school day.

Grand Prairie ISD serves more than 27,000 students in the Dallas County section of Grand Prairie, Texas.