Massachusetts lawmakers and educators are pushing forward with a bill that, if passed into law, would ban cell phones in public schools statewide.”This legislation is not about punishing students, it’s about helping them succeed,” the President of the Framingham Teachers’ Association, Christine Mulroney, said.The ban would be bell-to-bell and would prohibit all cellphones and personal electronic devices in grades K through 12. Public school districts would have to have a state-approved policy in place by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.There would be some exceptions for IEP students, students with health issues and those who study off school grounds. “Many of our school districts. It’s estimated that as much as 80 percent have some type of policy addressing cell phone use in school already,” said Chair of the Education Committee, Jason Lewis.Newton Public Schools is one of those districts. Schools superintendent Anna Nolin told NewsCenter 5 that it’s helped put the focus back on learning, and away from stress and drama.”We’re seeing all kinds of changes in behavior. In the school where we had piloted this a year ago, there was a significant reduction in bullying during the day,” Nolin said. “Teachers say they do not have to fight with students about putting their cell phones away.””I understand concern from parents that they want to be able to talk to their kid, and reach out if something comes up, but independence is also important,” said one high school graduate, who asked to remain anonymous. “I think there are pros and cons either way.”
Massachusetts lawmakers and educators are pushing forward with a bill that, if passed into law, would ban cell phones in public schools statewide.
“This legislation is not about punishing students, it’s about helping them succeed,” the President of the Framingham Teachers’ Association, Christine Mulroney, said.
The ban would be bell-to-bell and would prohibit all cellphones and personal electronic devices in grades K through 12.
Public school districts would have to have a state-approved policy in place by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
There would be some exceptions for IEP students, students with health issues and those who study off school grounds.
“Many of our school districts. It’s estimated that as much as 80 percent have some type of policy addressing cell phone use in school already,” said Chair of the Education Committee, Jason Lewis.
Newton Public Schools is one of those districts. Schools superintendent Anna Nolin told NewsCenter 5 that it’s helped put the focus back on learning, and away from stress and drama.
“We’re seeing all kinds of changes in behavior. In the school where we had piloted this a year ago, there was a significant reduction in bullying during the day,” Nolin said. “Teachers say they do not have to fight with students about putting their cell phones away.”
“I understand concern from parents that they want to be able to talk to their kid, and reach out if something comes up, but independence is also important,” said one high school graduate, who asked to remain anonymous. “I think there are pros and cons either way.”
