Education Education Edition
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
2025
Welcome to the annual CI Education Edition!
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This guide highlights Fort Bend ISD’s three-year boundary change study to alleviate capacity issues across the district. The edition also features a look at where Fort Bend ISD transfers are going as well as an-depth analysis on the district’s career and technical programs as statewide workforce demands grow.
Aubrey Vogel Editor Avogel@ communityimpact.com
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What's inside
See where former Fort Bend ISD students are transferring (Page 23)
Find out how Fort Bend ISD’s CTE program has grown (Page 25)
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In line with many school districts across the Greater Houston area adopting changes regarding their personal electronic device policies, Fort Bend ISD o cials are recommending revision to its current policy to align with House Bill 1481. The bill was passed in June by the 89th Texas Legislature to restrict the use of devices during the school day. Per district documents, recommended changes include the banning of cellphone use during the entire school day with devices turned o and stored away from students of all ages rather than allowing older students the ability to use devices FBISD could change personal device policy
What’s in a bill
FBISD current cellphone policy
The bill was passed to reduce distractions in the class after Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath urged state lawmakers in September to ban student cellphone use in public schools, citing concerns about the impact to student learning and mental health. Under this bill, smartwatches, tablets and radios are regulated in addition to cellphones, per the TEA. Students with Individualized Education Plans or Section 504 accommodations are allowed device use if campus authorities approve, per the TEA. Further updates and any changes to the policy will be shared with families and sta as the district receives additional clari cation from state education authorities, district o cials said.
District o cials said some policies, adopted in January, align with the state mandate including:
Students in pre-K through rst grade are prohibited from possessing personal telecommunication devices Students in grades 2-12 may bring devices to school but must remain o during instructional time
Trustees also approved the removal of a fee in January, which o cials said led to inconsistent enforcement across campuses.
SOURCE: FORT BEND ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
during non-instructional times. The board discussed the recommended changes Aug. 4 and will vote on the revisions at an Aug. 18 meeting, per district documents.
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