Schools
RISD's evaluation reveals positive impact of cellphone-free policy
Richardson Independent School District Upholds Cellphone-Free Policy Following Positive Assessment

Richardson, Texas - In a meeting held on June 8, the Board of Trustees for the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) came together to evaluate the performance of the newly implemented cellphone-free policy for students during the 2022-23 academic year, according to Dallas Metro News.
The assessment drew upon a comprehensive set of information, including disciplinary records, survey data, and accounts from several significant campus authorities. A notable decrease in disciplinary incidents related to student cellphone use served as evidence of the policy's remarkable effectiveness in returning the focus of the classroom to academics, according to an overwhelming majority of educators.
One piece of compelling data came from Forest Meadow Junior High (FMJH), which acted as the pioneer in adopting the Yondr pouch initiative throughout the 2022-23 term. The statistics displayed a significant decrease in disciplinary cases tied to cellphone misuse, a contrast that stood out when compared with trends from other secondary schools within RISD.During the meeting, the Area Superintendent for Lake Highlands provided a vibrant discussion on the overwhelmingly positive impact the pilot program had on both students and staff members.
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Following the implementation, a survey was conducted among FMJH teachers who participated in the initiative. Every teacher responded favorably, confirming that the program led to an increase in academic engagement in their classrooms. There was also a unanimous agreement that the school should continue with the Yondr pilot in the 2023-24 academic year. Reflecting the perceived success of the program, an additional four secondary campuses within RISD have expressed interest in adopting the Yondr pilot for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
In light of the convincing proof of its success, the cellphone-free policy for students will be maintained across all RISD campuses for the 2023-24 academic year.
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Those interested in delving deeper into the topic can access the full discussion and presentation from the June 8 board meeting for viewing.