LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer will give her State of the State speech.
“Her proposals will focus on creating jobs, lowering costs, continuing record investments in education, and so much more,” according to the 2025 State of the State webpage on Michigan.gov.
Part of Gov. Whitmer’s plan will include a call for bipartisan legislation restricting the use of cellphones in the classroom.
A study from the National Education Association shows “91% of educators surveyed report having serious concerns about their students’ mental health…75% of educators say social media is “a serious problem” at their school…90% of educators support policies implemented at the school district level prohibiting cell phone use during instructional time.”
A study published by JAMA Pediatrics shows 25% of students involved in the study use their phones, in school, for more than two hours per day.
It’s stats like these that concern educators. Williamston Community Schools Superintendent Adam Spina, has seen the problem and has researched the issue.
“It’s something that as a governance team in the district we’ve studied for the last several years and we’ve been able to make some changes. All while continuing to survey parents, staff, and even our students at the high school for their input on what would feel would be the best decision,” he said.
But Spina and his team have not just researched the idea, they implemented a plan.
“We made the change where students were not to have devices out in the classroom, during instructional time. They still have access to those during passing time and during lunch, and obviously there’s always exceptions individual students might have,” he said.
This policy change went into effect around a year ago and since, Spina said he is seeing results he wants.
“We have seen an increase, according our teachers, of students are focusing on their tasks and their academics that are going on in their class…From an administrator standpoint what we’ve also seen is a decline in behaviors that are either directly or indirectly associated with access with the phones.”
However, when it came to potentially placing additional restrictions on cell phone use in class, some parents voiced concerns.
“They still do have some concerns about further limiting their access parents are accustomed to and want to make sure they can get in touch with their child,” Spina said.
Whitmer will deliver her State of the State speech in the Michigan House Chambers at 7 p.m.
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