More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones

As students across the country head back to class, one thing won't be coming with many of them: their cell phones. This year more states than ever are banning students' devices during school hours.

In Texas, every public and charter school student will be without their phones during the school day this fall. Brigette Whaley, an associate professor of education at West Texas A&M University, expects to see "a more equitable environment" in classrooms with higher student engagement.

Last year, she tracked the success of a cell phone ban in one west Texas high school by surveying teachers throughout the year. They reported more participation by students, and also said they saw student anxiety plummet – mainly because students weren't afraid of being filmed at any moment and embarrassing th