Education
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
Education Edition
2025
Welcome to the annual CI Education Edition!
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This edition highlights career and technical programs in both Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs as statewide workforce demand grows. The article dives into KISD’s new water operations certi cate and provides an update on LCISD’s new career and technical building, which is now under construction. The edition also features a look at how school districts can use budget and bond funds as well as a look at the new state laws regarding homeschool participation in UIL athletics. A dive into how both ISDs compare to statewide STAAR scores round out this edition.
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University of Houston College of Education www.uh.edu/education coecomm@uh.edu
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Katy, Lamar Consolidated ISDs update cellphone policies Marlon Waites, LCISD chief student service o cer, said at the June 17 board meeting that the bill overrides the school policy approved in January by banning student phone use during the school day, including during lunch and other non-instructional time. Required by state policy, these changes will be shared with KISD and LCISD parents and students in time for the Sept. 1 compliance deadline:
Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISD administra- tors have implemented updated cellphone policies that will impact all students from elementary to high school beginning this fall. The revision is in response to new requirements under House Bill 1481, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in June, which mandates tighter restrictions on student use of personal communi- cation devices during school hours, Sherri Ashorn, KISD director of student a airs, said at the July 21
In emergency situations, KISD school sta will instruct students on the use of telecommunication devices. LCISD students are advised to make emergency calls at the front desk. Violation of the policy will result in device con scation, followed by parent communication and pick up, in addition to campus-speci c restrictions. Personal communication devices must be stored in the student’s backpack or locker while on school property during the day.
Similarly, KISD’s policy will shift from limited access to personal devices based on grade level as approved in July 2024. Waites said the bill also eliminates the previ- ously enforced $15 fee charged to LCISD students for retrieving con scated phones. The details Per the policy, students with an Individualized Education Plan or with Section 504 accommoda- tions may use their device if campus administra- tors deem appropriate, district o cials said.
board meeting. What’s changing
The policy changes were approved by KISD trustees at the July 28 meeting and by LCISD trustees at a June 17 meeting. Under the new policy, students will be pro- hibited from having cellphones on their person or using devices anywhere on school property during the instructional day, per KISD and LCISD district communications.
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
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