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Statewide student cellphone ban attempt fails to win enough Michigan House votes
Statewide student cellphone ban attempt fails to win enough Michigan House votes

CBS News

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • CBS News

Statewide student cellphone ban attempt fails to win enough Michigan House votes

A second attempt to invoke a statewide ban on cellphone use by students in classrooms has failed in the Michigan legislature. House Bill 4141 was defeated Thursday on a vote of 53 yes, 45 no, 12 not voting. The results were largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats voting down the measure. Given the current membership of 110 lawmakers, 56 votes were needed for passage and moving on to the state Senate. Given the practicalities of the legislative calendar, there will be no statewide changes before classes start for the 2025-26 school year. Cellphone rules regarding student use have so far been handled on a local, case-by-case basis. Republican state Rep. Mark Tisdel introduced a bill calling for restrictions during a previous legislative session, but it didn't get far. With this effort, he timed House Bill 4141's introduction around Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2025 State of the State address, in which she called for "commonsense restrictions on phone use during class." The goal of House Bill 4141 was to spell out when a student could have access to cellphones and other personal wireless devices at Michigan's K-12 public schools and academies. Elementary and middle school students would not be permitted to use one during the school day at all. The high school students could have access in between classes, in addition to just before and just after the school day, if they are still on campus. Exceptions would be granted for medically-necessary devices, school-issued laptops, specific tasks assigned by teachers and under emergency situations "as described in an emergency operations plan," the final version of the bill states. Despite a series of amendments, the final version did not get support from House Democrats. Tisdel said his response will be to come back with a stricter list of restrictions. "We're not going to water the bill down to the point of being meaningless," Tisdel said in response to the vote. "So now, we're going to go the other direction and make the bill stronger."

NYC Public Schools announce cellphone ban for upcoming school year. Here's what to know.
NYC Public Schools announce cellphone ban for upcoming school year. Here's what to know.

CBS News

time7 days ago

  • Health
  • CBS News

NYC Public Schools announce cellphone ban for upcoming school year. Here's what to know.

New York City Public Schools are enacting a cellphone ban, as part of a new statewide law to eliminate distractions in the classroom. When students return to class for the 2025-2026 academic year, they will no longer be able to use personal internet-enabled devices, like smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, during the school day. Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced the updated policy Wednesday. "We know that excessive cell phone use is harmful to our children's concentration and mental health, and, with this new policy, we will finally reduce distractions as we help our students reach their full potential," Adams said in a statement. "This policy is designed to be responsive to the diverse needs of schools, individual students, and families, and I am grateful to all of our partners for their hard work in moving this policy forward," said Aviles-Ramos. Students will be allowed to use their devices when traveling to and from school, but they must be turned off and put away while learning. There are exceptions for those who need devices for medical reasons. Schools will be required to provide at least one way for families to reach their kids in the case of an emergency and provide a secure way to store phones. The mayor said he allocated $25 million to help with the implementation at the 1,600 public schools across the five boroughs. Earlier this year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul set aside $254 billion in the state budget for the "bell-to-bell" statewide ban. The law allows individual schools to come up with their own ways to store devices, such as leaving them in pouches, lockers or cubbies.

Fort Worth schools prepare for cellphone ban as Texas law limits use during school hours
Fort Worth schools prepare for cellphone ban as Texas law limits use during school hours

CBS News

time23-07-2025

  • Politics
  • CBS News

Fort Worth schools prepare for cellphone ban as Texas law limits use during school hours

When the school year starts, in districts across the state, students won't be able to use cellphones or certain other electronics during the school day due to a new law that leaves a lot of the details up to individual schools and school districts. The Fort Worth Independent School District is deciding on its policy now. Fort Worth ISD parent Adrienne Hayes has a 16-year-old and says she knows just how distracting a cellphone can be. "There's been times where he's veered off on YouTube or done other things instead of being engaged in the lesson," said Hayes. However, when it comes to Texas' new law banning cellphone use in K-12 schools, she says she sees both sides. "Academically, I think it will strengthen our kids, being able to reengage in the curriculum," Hayes said. "Considering the state of the world today, it could be a sense of security for parents, as well as for kids having access to them." "So, when we have our parents who are upset about this state law that has been implemented, we understand," said Dr. Karen Molinar, the Fort Worth ISD Superintendent. "But you need to know our approach for FWISD is to protect our instructional time; however, still give you access to your student before and after school hours." At Monday's school board meeting, a policy that aligns with Texas' new law was presented. Under the new rules, students will start with a verbal warning, then for repeat offenders, the punishment can escalate to contacting parents, phone confiscation, parent-teacher conferences, and even in-school suspension. Parents are being told to call the front office if they need to reach a student throughout the school year. Steven Poole, the head of the United Educators Association, says he's concerned about the teachers.. "Who is going to have their back when they start confiscating cellphones, turning them into the office, when students and parents start pushing back on this policy?" Poole asked. The policy, if it passes, would start on the first day of school.

Groveport Madison prohibits cell phone use during school day ahead of statewide ban
Groveport Madison prohibits cell phone use during school day ahead of statewide ban

Yahoo

time22-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Groveport Madison prohibits cell phone use during school day ahead of statewide ban

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) — Starting this fall, Groveport Madison students will no longer be allowed to use cell phones in schools. The district announced the change on Thursday, telling parents and students that phones and other internet-connected devices must be turned off and out of sight during the school day. The district said there will be exceptions for emergencies or when use is specifically approved by school staff. The new policy affects all students K-12 and begins this upcoming school year. 'Over the past several years, we've seen a noticeable increase in distractions, conflicts, and disciplinary issues tied to phone use during school hours, particularly those related to social media and texting,' the district said in a statement. 'Research also shows that excessive screen time can negatively impact mental health, attention span and classroom engagement.' Ohio schools face $185 million losses in federal funding freeze Groveport Madison's cell phone ban requires students to be cell phone free for the entire school day, including lunch and other breaks from instruction. The district said they believe it will minimize conflicts and distractions and create a better learning environment. The district said it is making the change to be in line with Senate Bill 158, which is not yet law but would ban cell phone use in schools. The Ohio Senate passed S.B. 158 on May 14, and the bill is awaiting further action in House committee hearings. See previous coverage of Ohio's proposed cell phone bans in the video player above. Groveport Madison's change also preemptively ensures compliance with a new Ohio law that requires all districts to ban cell phones by Jan. 1, 2026. That requirement was included in Ohio's biennial budget bill, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law on June 30. DeWine has been pushing for cell phone regulations like this for over a year. In 2024, he signed legislation that required all Ohio public school districts to limit cell phone use in school by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Now, schools must implement full bans, with exceptions for emergencies and medical concerns. Parents have raised concerns about students not having phones during emergencies or to help with medical issues, but Groveport Madison and the state legislator have adopted exceptions for those situations. Some parents also told NBC4 banning cell phone use infringes on parents' rights in education. Study ranks multiple Ohio cities among most stressed in United States Groveport Madison said it made the decision alongside its Board of Education, district safety committee and a Parent and Student Advisory Committee. Despite feedback, the district said it anticipated the change would be an adjustment, and provided research supporting minimal cell phone use for parents to use in conversations with students. According to the American Psychologists Association, too much screen time can be damaging for kids and teenagers. The APA said social media are built for adults, and they can be harmful for growing brains, especially as minors are still developing impulse control and various mental guardrails. Groveport Madison now joins many other central Ohio districts that have full or partial cell phone bans on the books. Last summer, South Western and Whitehall school districts implemented similar bans to Groveport Madison's, and Dublin City Schools has been DeWine's poster child for cell phone ban effectiveness. 'As we went through this process in Dublin City Schools, we had near unanimous support from parents for banning cellphones from our schools,' Dublin Superintendent John Marschhausen said. 'We are home to more than 90,000 residents and I've received one complaint.' Groveport Madison's ban begins with the first day of school, which will be Aug. 11 for grades 1-6 and freshman in high school, and Aug. 12 for all other students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword

School officials question Quebec's new cellphone ban and civility code
School officials question Quebec's new cellphone ban and civility code

CTV News

time03-07-2025

  • Politics
  • CTV News

School officials question Quebec's new cellphone ban and civility code

Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Oct. 22, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot) The Quebec Ministry of Education has released its draft regulation outlining a complete ban on cellphones in schools, along with new civility rules for the province. In May, the government announced it would expand its cellphone ban by prohibiting students in elementary and high school from using their devices anywhere on school property. In addition to the ban, Education Minister Bernard Drainville also said students would have to follow a civility code and address teachers formally as 'sir and madame.' However, some education officials say that enforcement will be difficult amid budget cuts and believe the government should be focusing on more urgent matters. Joe Ortona, president of the Quebec English School Boards Association, questioned whether enforcement would lead to staff 'shortfalls.' 'With all due respect to the minister, his priority shouldn't be on ensuring that these rules get enforced. It should be on ensuring that we have adequate staff,' Ortona argued in a recent interview. 'Rome is burning, and the minister is coming out with rules about proper etiquette and formal ways to address people and a cell phone ban while we're dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars of cuts and what exactly that's going to entail.' According to the draft regulation, there are a few exceptions to the ban, including health reasons, special needs and for pedagogical use. Moreover, each school will have to decide what disciplinary measures to implement for students who contravene the new rules. Katherine Korakakis, the president of the English Parents' Committee Association of Quebec, said that the harmful effects of cellphones do need to be mitigated, but raised doubts about whether the ban is the right measure. 'From parents, what we've heard and what we've always advocated is taking away the cell phones without teaching children about the effects of sound cell phones becomes a punitive measure and doesn't do anything to address the crisis,' Korakakis explained. 'So now you're putting something in place that is not enforceable. There are not enough teachers on hand. There are not enough staff members on hand.' The ban was recommended by a committee of legislature members tasked with studying the impact of screen time and social media on youth. In an interim report published in April, the committee found that mobile devices were everywhere on school grounds, and it heard from specialists who said extending the ban could reduce students' screen time and encourage other activities, such as socializing. Korakakis added that parents have expressed concern about not being able to reach their children. 'We raised this with the ministry and explained that, for the English-speaking community, there are real concerns — like not being able to reach your child, especially for students with special needs who take public transit. The ministry told us that as long as phones are kept in lockers, it's not a problem. But they were already in lockers to begin with,' she said. The new rules come into effect in the fall. With files from The Canadian Press

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