Oh, Cell No! Series – Part 1: Key Basics

1. Key basics on what is going to happen now that this is a new law fully through the process;
2. Parent and guardian perspective and what you can do to use your voice at the local level and how to prepare;
3. Student voice and day-to-day instruction impact;
4. School employee implementation and enforcement. 

Let’s jump in…

Part One: Key basics on what is going to happen now that this is a new law fully through the process

If you’ve been following this legislation, you know it has taken on a few versions. Now that this is officially a new law signed by the Governor and in effect, I will go through what is to come.

What does this new Student “Cell Phone” Ban law do?

This new state law aims to improve learning by eliminating, or at best minimizing, distractions in school classrooms and learning environments. This applies to students – not employees.

Ideally, this requires all public schools across the state to adopt a one-year board policy for the 2025-2026 school year to prohibit the use of student cell phones and smart devices from the start of the school day to the end of the school day. The local school board can embed exceptions into the policy. Lastly, the policy has to include consequences for student violations.

When does this student cell phone ban go into effect?

Essentially, August 2025. Each public school board of education is required to adopt a policy in compliance with this new law ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. 

Is it just cell phones? No. 

The ban extends beyond just student personal cell phones. It also includes smartwatches (i.e. Apple watches), smart headphones, smart glasses, and smart anything else…. Basically, anything a student personally brings to school that can be connected to a network or Wifi is fair game for this ban. 

And this is where my teenage son asks if walkie-talkies would count. I love his ingenuity! 

School District-Issued Devices are Excluded from the Ban.

This ban does not include district-issued devices like ipads and  chromebooks. However, what many may not know is a lot of our school districts have BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies for their students. 

Some students prefer to use their own personal device for school work. A BYOD policy saves the school money and time and resources. The device upkeep and updates are handled at home. Plus, parents and guardians have more-ready access to oversee the use of the device by the student. 

The school can still monitor certain activity on a student’s device through its network system. Sites and apps can be blocked at school – even on a student’s personal device – if the student is on the school’s WIFI system. 

By contrast, a school-issued device requires password-protected access that is limited to the student only. I guess the student could provide the password to the parents or guardians. However, most school districts have a policy against sharing passwords.

What happens now?

Your local public school administration is no doubt already reviewing this new law and discussing how to implement it. This background planning will guide how the superintendent makes recommendations on the policy to the school board. Luckily, a template policy is drafted to get my school friends started.

Each of us – school board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, staff members, and students – has a role to play and decisions to make for how this next part plays out… 

Whenever you’re ready, here is Part Two: Parent and guardian perspective and what you can do to use your voice at the local level and how to prepare.