Indiana students will soon face new restrictions on personal electronic devices during the school day as a statewide “Bell-to-Bell” ban takes effect July 1. The law expands existing classroom cellphone restrictions and requires schools to limit student access to personal devices throughout the entire school day.

Background

Gov. Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 78 into law last month, strengthening Indiana’s existing restrictions on student cellphone use. The legislation requires public school corporations and charter schools to adopt policies limiting the use of personal communication devices during the entire school day.

Supporters of the legislation say the expanded restrictions are intended to reduce distractions and improve student engagement in the classroom. State Rep. Jake Teshka said educators expressed concerns about competing with social media, text messages, and other digital notifications for students’ attention.

Implementation

School districts across Indiana are now updating student handbooks and communicating expectations to families before the start of the new school year. Officials with the School City of Mishawaka said the new law provides additional authority for schools to address device-related distractions.

Theodore Stevens, superintendent of the School City of Mishawaka, said school officials hope the policy will contribute to improved educational outcomes. “I think if folks go into this with an open mind, they’ll see that it will be successful and hopefully will give us the improved student outcomes that the law is looking to achieve,” Stevens said.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.