What Lafayette’s Student Handbook Shows about Cell Phones

In Louisiana this year, legislators passed a bill that makes it mandatory for students not to have their cell phones active at school. But, what does it really mean?

We wanted to share the actual text of the Louisiana law with you. It is as follows:

ACT 313:

(2)(a) Effective beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter, 17 no student shall possess, on his person, an electronic telecommunication device 18 throughout the instructional day. If a student brings an electronic 19 telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school 20 building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic 21 device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of 22 the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the 23 instructional day.

Now What Does It All Mean?

Now that you see how that is written, please know that each parish school district will then decide what their policy will be for example, we will share the Lafayette policy:

Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices: Students are prohibited from possessing such a device (i.e., cell phone, laptop, tablet device, smartwatch, or any device that transmits data or information) in a school building or on the grounds during the instructional day. If a student brings a device onto campus, it must be turned off or stowed away (not on display) during the instructional day. The instructional day is defined as the time a student arrives on campus until the last dismissal bell at the end of the day rings.

So, here is the easiest way to put it:

They need to have any electronic devices TURNED OFF and IN THE BOTTOM OF THEIR BACKPACK. 

A student can bring their phone to school, but it can't be on their person or in their clothing at any time. So, students may have their phone with them, but it must not be used, it must be turned off, and it must be out of site (in backpack).

While the language of the policy might seem contradictory, we spoke to Tracy Wirtz, spokesperson for the Lafayette School System and she says it can be cleared up this way,

If we see it, we take it

The school district would rather students leave their devices at home, but if they are brought with them they must be stowed away. These devices

Can't be on your person

Can't be in your hands

Can't be in your socks

Can't be in your pockets or any other place on your body

She says students must have them stowed away in a bag and turned off.