The new bill would require consequences for students who don’t follow the rules. It’s the latest attempt to crack down on phones in North Carolina schools.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a move to enhance focus and reduce distractions in classrooms, North Carolina lawmakers have introduced legislation in the Senate that would regulate students’ use of cellphones in schools during instructional time.
Here’s a breakdown of what Senate Bill 55 entails and how it could impact schools if passed:
The bill defines wireless communication devices as any portable device capable of voice, messaging or data communication. This includes cellphones, tablets, laptops, pagers, two-way radios and gaming devices.
Under the bill, every public school board must establish a policy that prohibits students from using, displaying or having these devices turned on during instructional time, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions include educational purposes, emergencies and students with individualized education programs (IEPs) or medical conditions requiring an electronic device.
Schools will set consequences for breaking the rules, ranging from device confiscation to disciplinary action. Schools would be required to submit their device policies to the Department of Public Instruction by Sept. 1 of the effective year.
South Carolina lawmakers passed a bill banning phones during school hours, requiring all districts to implement a formal ban to maintain state funding. The policy has received pushback from some parents who are concerned about safety in light of school shootings.
It’s unclear exactly what would change if Senate Bill 55 is passed, as many districts already have policies against cellphones and confiscate them under certain circumstances. Some teachers told WRAL they don’t want to confiscate phones because they don’t want to be responsible for any damage done to phones while in their possession.
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