It's been an issue in classrooms here in Amarillo for a bit now, and schools have long grappled with how to deal with it. Cellphones and other electronics are being used in the classroom during learning hours.

Between cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches, teachers have struggled to keep kids off them or have them go off during those hours. Now, they believe they have the answer to solve those problems.

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What Was The Old Policy

Many of the schools in town had moved to a policy where if a student was caught using one of the devices, it would be confiscated, and a fine would have to be paid to obtain it back.

That policy helped curb it a bit, but it was really more of a stopgap until they could figure out a more permanent way to keep the students off those devices.

READ MORE: Cell Phones While Driving? Off-Limits In Amarillo.

New Policy Hitting Texas Public Schools

Recently, it was rumored that students wouldn't even be able to be in possession of their cell phones during school hours, but that wasn't the case. House Bill 1481 strictly prohibits the use of them however.

There are still things that need to be worked out before the school year, such as punishment for being caught using the device, and how it affects those with medical reasons for needing access to the device.

How Do Administrators Feel About The New Policy

Point blank, they love it and have given it a proverbial A+. Aside from it not distracting from lessons in the classroom, it's been shown that they've seen a decrease in certain things such as bullying, fighting, defiance, and even vaping.

It has also increased social gatherings and events to happen at lunchtime, rather than students being glued to their phones. Things such as random football games have broken out during lunchtime at schools, with the phones being put away.