FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 27, 2025
Contact: Samantha Manning,
Communications Director
Smanning@dccouncil.gov
COUNCILMEMBER PINTO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS
Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Brooke Pinto is introducing a new bill to prohibit personal cell phones and wireless devices during the school day in order to remove digital distractions in the classroom and increase educational outcomes for District students. The “Heads Up! Distraction-Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025” would direct local education agencies (LEAs) to each adopt and implement a policy that prohibits students from using personal wireless communication devices during the school day including cell phones, gaming devices, and smart watches, among others.
“We must remain focused on supporting a learning environment in all of our schools that will help our students learn, play, engage, and thrive,” said Councilmember Pinto. “Removing distracting devices during the school day will better equip our students to focus, empower our teachers to teach, and ensure that our kids are engaging with one another in person which will benefit them and their outcomes for years to come.”
The purpose of the proposal is to reduce distractions for students in the classroom and enhance their learning experience. Last year, only 34 percent of District students met or exceeded expectations in English language arts and literacy and only 22.8 percent of our students met or exceeded expectations in math. The non-academic use of internet connected devices like cellphones during the school day interrupts concentration which is necessary for focused learning and information retention. This type of non-academic use has been linked to decreases in student learning. In addition, the use of social media on cell phones and other wireless devices has been linked to detrimental impacts on mental health and the escalation of conflicts in our schools, which also negatively affect academic performance.
At last month’s public meeting of the DC State Board of Education, parents, teachers, and researchers shared testimony in support of phone-free schools in the District. Prohibiting personal wireless devices in school will help safeguard students’ mental health and allow students to engage in critical face-to-face play time and socialization with their peers. This interaction is critical to healthy social development and reducing bullying and conflicts among students.
The legislation will help educators be able to do their jobs effectively. In a recent survey conducted by the Washington Teachers Union on cell phone use in schools, 83% of teachers are against cell phone use in schools. Additionally, 80% of respondents stated that cell phones disrupt the learning environment in classrooms.
“The data is clear: fewer distractions lead to stronger academic performance,” said Ward 2 DC State Board of Education Representative Allister Chang. “This bill ensures that students and educators can make the most of their time together in the classroom.”
A growing number of state legislatures are moving to prohibit or restrict cell phone use for students at school, including Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and California. In neighboring Virginia, school districts across the Commonwealth are required to implement policies to limit cellphone use during the school day. The Lincoln school district in Nebraska has reported fewer behavioral issues and better engagement since implementing a ban on phone use during class time.
The bill authorizes an educator to allow a student to use a wireless communication device including tablet computers and laptops for educational purposes during instructional time. It also provides a process for a student to obtain permission from an educator or administrator to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student’s health care. No student will be prohibited from using a wireless communication device during instructional time if the use of the device is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or to accommodate a disability.
Under this bill, students will be provided with storage for the wireless communication devices during the school day so they could still bring their devices with them to school and use it during transit. It also requires notification about the policy and ensures that consequences for a violation are spelled out in the policy.
Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmembers Charles Allen, Matthew Frumin, Zachary Parker, and Anita Bonds are co-introducers of the legislation.