Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law requiring Iowa schools to enforce policies that restrict students from using smart phones when they’re in classes.
Reynolds praised policies at high schools in Ottumwa and Des Moines that show student performance rising as cell phone access is limited. Ottumwa Superintendent Mike McCrory says his district’s “bell to bell” policy banning cell phones from classrooms, hallways and the lunchroom has had a profound impact.
There was also a dramatic improvement in test scores at Ottumwa High.
Gabe Polich is a senior at Des Moines Hoover High School where cell phones and air pods have been banned in classes this year. He wasn’t happy about the policy at first.
Governor Reynolds says she’s thrilled by the experience students like Polich have had with these policies.
The no-cell-phones-in-class rule for public schools goes into effect July 1st. The law does allow for some exceptions for students who have instructional plans that require the use of a cell phone. Parents also may ask for their children to have access to their cell phones for behavior or physical health reasons.
