Another day, another high-profile education official wanting to ban phones in class.

This time it’s Texas. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has called for a statewide ban on cellphones in public schools. Texas would join New York, Indiana, and other places that have banned student cellphone use in class over the past year. And for good reason: there’s data about social media use and its impact, but the truth is, as a teacher, they’re often just distractions.

However, as the tide has turned so strongly against phones, I now feel the need to point out that cellphones have a purpose in class too.

The first thing people are overlooking is students with disabilities. Over the years, I’ve had many students use phones for text-to-speech and recording. Sure, schools can and technically must provide similar devices, but very few things are as cost-effective as a smartphone. This is something disability advocates have already pointed out with the most recent bans.

I also wonder about my English Language Learner (ELL) students. This past year, I had a student who spoke a different language than anyone else in the school, student or staff. There was no one to translate for her. She frequently used her phone to translate material in real time and to communicate with her friends. While her phone occasionally became a distraction, it’s hard for me to imagine a scenario where her learning environment would be better without it.

Finally, regular students being able to reach their parents is simply much easier with their own devices. Yes, students should have all their after-school plans figured out, but ironically, I’ve found that kids without phones are often a bigger hassle than those who have them in this regard. There is only one teacher and a couple of phones in the office. The constant bombardment of “can I use your phone” or “can I go call my mom in the office” is not something I miss. Phones are very convenient for last-minute changes and updates— you know, the exact kind of thing a cell phone is for.

You won’t see me mourning the loss of cellphones in school; I’ve confiscated enough for a lifetime. However, there are obstacles we need to think through, and functions we’ve grown accustomed to over the past decade.