Board Approves Phone-Free Environments – Arkansas Middle and High Schools

Following the recent approval by the Texarkana Arkansas School District (TASD) Board of Directors, Arkansas Middle School and Arkansas High School will implement phone-free environments starting this fall. The initiative aims to enhance the teaching and learning experience by introducing Yondr pouches, which will help reduce the negative impacts of phone addiction on students' well-being.

The Yondr system, already used in various schools, employs secure pouches designed to store phones and other small electronic devices like smartwatches and earbuds. Upon arriving at school, students will secure their phones—either turned off or in airplane mode—in personally assigned Yondr pouches. While students will keep their phones in their possession, they will be unable to access them until the pouches are unlocked at the end of the school day. Responsibility for the Yondr pouches, which students must bring to and from school daily, rests with the students.

Despite previous efforts to limit phone use in schools, the challenge has persisted as long as the devices were accessible. However, research from other schools using Yondr has shown promising results:

• 84% improvement in student engagement
• 72% improvement in student behavior
• 68% improvement in academic performance
• 86% improvement in student safety and wellness

By the way, the replacement cost of a lost Yondr pouch is $35.

In the coming weeks, TASD will provide additional information to students and families before the rollout. Meanwhile, more details about the Yondr pouches and feedback options can be found on the district's website at www.TASD7.net.

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