Latest news with #SB1296
Miami Herald
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade lawmaker's bill to expand Florida school cell-phone restrictions advances
A proposal to prevent students from using cell phones and other wireless devices during the school day, not just during instructional time, is headed to the full House. The Education & Employment Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the proposal (HB 949), which also would require school districts to designate areas where students may use devices. Bill sponsor Demi Busatta, R-Coral Gables, said the proposal doesn't define wireless devices to account for medical devices and to capture the 'new gadget or gizmo that comes out.' The proposal comes two years after lawmakers barred students from using cell phones and other wireless devices during instructional time. Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, said the goal of Busatta's bill is to create an environment where students can thrive. A Senate proposal (SB 1296), which cleared the Education Pre-K-12 Committee on Monday, would require the education commissioner to craft a statewide policy based on findings from six school districts that would ban the use of cell phones and other devices during the school day throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida bill aims to test-run phone ban in schools
The Brief Florida Senate Bill 1296 would launch a pilot program studying the potential effects of a ban on phone use during the school day. Supporters argue that phones are a major distraction and lead to behavioral issues. There are concerns, though, including student safety along with enforcement. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A new bill advancing in the Florida Legislature could disrupt the way students use their phones at school. Big picture view Senate Bill 1296, backed by State Sen. Danny Burgess, would launch a pilot program to see what happens when students are required to keep their phones put away during the school day. The proposed legislation comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a separate law in May 2023 restricting the use of all wireless communication devices in public school classrooms, requiring that they must be powered off during instructional time and placed in an area designated by the teacher. State lawmakers on Wednesday sent the measure to three key Senate committees: Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; and Rules. If it moves forward, the legislation would take effect on July 1, 2025. READ: SpaceX Starship test ends in explosion off Florida's coast: What we know Dig deeper The bill calls on the education commissioner to team up with six school districts – two small, two medium, and two large – to roll out and study a policy that bans students from using their phones throughout the school day. The Florida Department of Education would then gather data on how this affects student behavior and grades, delivering a report to lawmakers by Dec. 1, 2026. This trial run is intended to help decide whether a broader statewide ban makes sense. Sen. Burgess, a Republican representing Florida's 23rd District, introduced the measure in late February as part of a growing conversation about the impact of smartphones in schools. Supporters argue that phones are a major distraction and lead to behavioral issues, while opponents worry about restricting communication between students and their families. Click to open this PDF in a new window. Similar policies have been debated in other states, with some districts opting for partial bans and others going all-in. Florida's approach would be one of the most comprehensive test programs yet, aiming to see if a full-day phone ban makes a difference. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Local perspective Locally, some Tampa Bay-area school districts have already taken steps to curb phone use. Hillsborough County Public Schools implemented a policy restricting phone use during class, while Pasco County Schools has also tightened its rules, requiring students to keep devices silenced and out of sight during instructional time. Pinellas County Schools has made similar moves. These measures align with a growing trend of limiting distractions in the classroom, and SB 1296 could push those efforts even further. READ:'Trooper's Law': Dog abandoned on I-75 during Hurricane Milton evacuations inspires Florida bill The other side Not everyone is onboard with the idea. One of the main concerns is student safety. Some parents and educators argue that limiting phone access could make it harder for students to reach their families in an emergency, like a school lockdown or a natural disaster, although the legislation does call for the report to address such concerns. Enforcement is another sticking point. Critics doubt whether schools have the staff and resources to make sure the rules are followed fairly and consistently. What's more, some educators use smartphones as learning tools in the classroom. There's concern that banning them completely could disrupt tech-based learning strategies and limit access to useful educational apps. What they're saying FOX 13 viewers are sharing mixed reactions to the proposal. "It's a different world now. My kids were involved in lockdowns where the SWAT team and police were charging up the stairs. They need their phones in their possession. Make and set rules for how they are used and allowed in the class, not taken away," said Teresa Green, a mother who lives in Tampa. "I don't think they should be banned in high school. Middle school there should be limitations. Elementary school, they should be banned. Elementary kids do need them at school. Middle school, as a former teacher I know there are opportunities where teachers can incorporate them into lessons. High school, same as middle school and communication. There should be guidelines but not banned," said Jenny Duckworth, who lives in Bradenton. "I work at a middle school and sometimes it's a futile struggle to enforce the cellphone ban, but that's why it's a good law. It clearly is an addiction for these kids. Some teachers do use it as a teaching tool and that's the only time it should be used," said Adrienne Zampella, a middle school staff member. "Yes (phones should be banned at schools). We did perfectly fine without them. All classrooms have a phone and an intercom," said Lori Sowers, who lives in Brooksville. What's next As the bill makes its way through the legislative process, expect plenty of debate. Lawmakers are expected to gather and weigh input from educators, parents, and student advocacy groups before making a final decision. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Matthew McClellan. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Should Florida school cellphone bans include lunchtime?
The big story: The trend of restricting student cellphone use in school has gained momentum across the nation since Florida lawmakers adopted limitations in 2023. In the past month alone, officials in New York, Missouri, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have taken steps to ban cellphones in classrooms. Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are considering additional constraints. State Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, has proposed creating a pilot program (SB 1296) to explore the viability of prohibiting cellphone use whenever students are on campus or participating in school-sponsored activities off campus. The proposal caught the eye of Hillsborough County school board member Lynn Gray. She asked her colleagues this week if they'd like to stop students from using their phones at lunchtime, which district policy currently allows in high schools, without waiting for lawmakers. Gray said students have used phones to cheat on coursework, coordinate fights, bully one another, and more. 'I can guarantee you, our teenagers are in bad shape from cellphone use,' Gray said during a workshop. The idea didn't get far. Other board members raised objections, saying some students use their phones to decompress during down time. Some have other legitimate reasons to have their phones out, they added, such as communicating with their parents or jobs. Plus, enforcement could be problematic. 'What are we going to do? Expel a kid or change placement for a kid or suspend a kid for cellphones? We decided not to do that,' said board member Henry 'Shake' Washington, a veteran former principal. The board decided to wait and see what, if anything, the Florida Legislature does. In the meantime, chairperson Jessica Vaughn suggested the district work on maintaining its current rules. 'While I appreciate Hillsborough County wanting to be on the forefront of everything, I also think that sometimes we can sit back and let some other counties test things out so we can see what is best practice for our students and for our teachers,' Vaughn said. Bus cameras: Miami-Dade County superintendent Jose Dotres instructed the district's police chief to work with the county Sheriff's Office to fix the process for issuing citations to drivers accused of illegally passing stopped school buses, the Miami Herald reports. Drivers have said they received tickets despite having done nothing wrong. Diversity, equity and inclusion: Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice is celebrating the creation of an 'End DEI' portal as the culmination of her group's efforts, Florida Today reports. Early education: Hillsborough County elementary schools have launched an incentive program to encourage kindergarten attendance, WFTS reports. Ending the USDOE: Central Florida education advocates are calling on the federal government to protect public schools amid the anticipated gutting of the U.S. Department of Education, Central Florida Public Media reports. President Trump has issued a draft action to eliminate the department and could make an announcement as early as today, NPR reports. Gender issues: President Trump spoke of a Leon County family's battle with their school district over the treatment of their non-binary child during his State of the Union. The facts are more complicated than his comments, PolitiFact reports. Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna called Trump's presentation 'reprehensible,' the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Immigration enforcement: Dozens of advocacy groups are asking the Florida Department of Education to issue clear guidance on how schools should deal with federal immigration enforcement, Central Florida Public Media reports. • The Pinellas County school district's police department has applied to participate in immigration enforcement, Florida Phoenix reports. • Alachua County principals will serve as the primary contact for immigration agents that seek access to schools and students, MainStreet Daily News reports. Legislation: State Sen. Tom Leek wants to end state contracts and grants to colleges and universities that discriminate against Israel, Florida Politics reports. • The president of Lee County's teacher union worries that legislation to add new membership requirements for teacher unions would hurt the district's effort to fill its nearly 200 teaching vacancies, WINK reports. University spending: Florida's university faculty have questions about Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposal to audit and cut programs and funding at their schools, the USF Oracle reports. • A state House committee has begun reviewing schools already under scrutiny by state auditors, Politico Florida reports. From the court docket ... The Broward County school district reached a settlement with a transportation worker who sued the district alleging it did not accommodate his faith, Bloomberg Law reports. Today in Tallahassee ... The House Student Academic Success subcommittee will discuss supports for students when it meets at 9 a.m. • The House Industries and Professional Activities subcommittee will consider HB 195 on education in correctional facilities for licensed professions when it meets at 1 p.m. Don't miss a story. Here's a link to yesterday's roundup. Before you go ... Any Fifth Element fans out there?
