NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A new law is set to take effect in Tennessee, tackling an obstacle surrounding cell phones in schools.
HB932/SB897 focuses on cell phone usage during school instruction, requiring school districts across the state to create a policy that reflects certain requirements under state law.
The main piece of the legislation says that cell phones aren’t to be used during classroom instruction, unless it’s under certain circumstances.
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Each school system in Tennessee is required to have the new policy compliant with state law by the time the school year starts.
Studies show that teachers throughout the country reported cell phone usage as a problem in their classrooms.
Most districts in the Midstate have already reviewed and passed policies that meet state law requirements, which are:
- Bans cell-phone usage during instructional time, unless authorized by the teacher.
- Allows for cell phone usage for students with learning disabilities or medical needs.
- Allows for the use of a cell phone in an emergency situation.
- Creates a system for parents and guardians to be notified of an emergency situation if cell phones are not readily in students’ hands.
The bill allowed for additional flexibility, giving each school system an opportunity to fine-tune the policy to their liking.
Some school districts, like Williamson County, allow high schoolers to use their cell phones during lunch.
For a look at policies that have already been implemented to meet state law, you can click on our previous web article above, which shows policies we’ve been made aware of by different school systems in the Midstate.
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