US EditionBill requiring school districts develop cell phone policies becomes law
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 782 into law on Wednesday, requiring students to put away cellphones during class starting in fall 2025.
- The bill requires all accredited public, private, charter, and innovation zone schools to implement policies limiting cellphone use during classroom instructional periods to help minimize distractions and reduce cyberbullying.
- Schools that already enforce such policies, like Ottumwa and Hoover High, report fewer disciplinary issues, higher grades, better attendance, and improved student-teacher engagement.
- Reynolds noted that schools have experienced greater involvement from students and a boost in the morale of both students and teachers, while Superintendent McGrory described the outcomes as significant, highlighting reductions in disciplinary referrals and failing grades.
- The law allows exceptions for students with disabilities and English learners, permits parental petitions for phone access, and intends to create learning environments conducive to academic and social growth.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Bill requiring school districts develop cell phone policies becomes law
DENVER (KDVR) — Governor Jared Polis signed a number of bills into state law Thursday, including one measure designed to keep students focused on learning and off their phones. By next summer, school districts across the state will need to have some policy in place regarding students using these devices during class. Polis’ veto on social media bill stands after lawmakers failed to override State lawmakers are calling on school districts t…
Midweek Update May 1 with Superintendent Joe Childs and Luke Hagen
MITCHELL — The Mitchell Board of Education has spent significant time this month reviewing the district's policies on cell phones in classes. What's the backstory? Well, it's all because of a book that the district's administration team read titled, "The Anxious Generation," by Jonathan Haidt. "We meet weekly and had a long and strong discussion on this topic," said Mitchell Superintendent Joe Childs. "This really pointed out some clarifying res…
Reynolds signs cellphone ban in classrooms into law - The Daily Iowan
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Wednesday restricting the use of cellphones in state classrooms. House File 782 was a priority for Reynolds this legislative session. The law bars the use of personal electronic devices — smartphones, mobile phones, and video game devices, among others — from being used during instructional time in classrooms. The law allows, and encourages, school districts to implement further restrictions. A Pew R…
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs statewide ban on cellphones in class • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Mike McGrory, left, superintendent of the Ottumwa Community School District, thanked Gov. Kim Reynolds as she signed into law a bill setting a statewide minimum ban on cellphones during instructional time at public K-12 schools. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, public Iowa K-12 school districts will be required to set policies that, at minimum, ban the use of cellphones during class time under a…
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