Massachusetts Senate Democrats advancing ‘bell-to-bell’ cellphone ban in schools

Massachusetts Senate Democrats were preparing to advance ordinance Tuesday that requires all society schools to implement a bell-to-bell ban on candidate access to personal electronic devices like cell phones during the school day Supporters of the proposal argued that students perform better when they are not distracted by cell phones that less screen time encourages face-to-face interactions which can boost relationships with peers and that high school teachers largely find cell phones in the classrooms to be a nuisance Senate President Karen Spilka who has called for a statewide cell phone ban before the start of the new school year and Sen Jason Lewis the co-chair of the Schooling Committee disclosed pushing the bill forward brings the state one step closer to making schools cell phone-free The cell phone is one of the bulk distracting devices ever created the two Democrats commented in a announcement Overwhelming evidence shows us that cell phones are major blockades to learner rise and achievement in the classroom and they make it harder for our talented educators to teach As of last week states had a law or strategy on the books covering K- classroom or school cell phone usage according to Ballotpedia Twenty-five states including Vermont and New York ban or limit cell phones in classrooms The issue has gained momentum in Massachusetts where top Democrats like Gov Maura Healey have publicly supported reining in cell phone usage in classrooms The bill Senate Democrats planned to advance out of the Legislature s Guidance Committee requires all masses schools and districts to implement policies for aspirant use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored programs before the start of the - academic year Those policies must include a bell-to-bell prohibition on apprentice access to personal electronic devices during the school day The bill defines a personal electronic device as any portable electronic capable of providing voice communication text messaging or other evidence communication between two or more parties or devices or capable of connecting to a smartphone or other personal electronic device the internet or a cellular or Wi-Fi framework or provides application usage Personal electronic devices include but are not limited to mobile phones tablets smartwatches and Bluetooth-enabled devices A personal electronic device shall not preclude the use of school-issued or sanctioned devices that serve a legitimate educational purpose the bill mentioned Policies banning cell phones can include exceptions for school and candidate wellness and safety necessary accommodations for students with disabilities scholar time spent off campus traveling to or from other learning opportunities multilingual learners emergencies and express permission from a guide or other staff member according to the bill The ordinance also requires cell phone policies to include methods for parents and guardians and students to be able to contact one another during the school day if necessary Once the proposal clears the Coaching Committee Tuesday it heads to the Senate Options and Means Committee which is led by Sen Michael Rodrigues a Westport Democrat and serves as a clearinghouse for major bills destined for floor votes As legislators neighbors and parents it is incumbent upon us to ensure classrooms are places where young people focus learn and thrive We look forward to seeing the bill s continued progress as it moves to the Senate Committee on Procedures and Means Spilka and Lewis announced in their announcement This is a emerging story