Central ND News

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, First Lady Kjersti Armstrong, and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden have announced their support for new legislation aimed at enhancing student learning and well-being by mandating that public schools implement policies requiring the secure storage of students' cell phones during school hours.

"We want to give something back to students: the freedom to learn and grow in school without the distraction of their personal electronic devices and social media," said Gov. Armstrong. He added that implementing bell-to-bell phone-free school policies would improve academic performance, mental health, and well-being while allowing teachers to focus more on instruction.

Amendments introduced today to Senate Bill 2354 and House Bill 1160 propose that all personal electronic communication devices be turned off, securely locked away, and inaccessible from the start until the end of the school day. Schools will have flexibility in deciding how to store these devices with $1.5 million proposed for equipment expenses.

Lt. Gov. Strinden stated, "We’ve seen how inconsistent phone policies from school to school and classroom to classroom can create confusion and frustration for students, parents, and teachers alike." She emphasized that establishing a baseline policy will ensure all public school students have the same opportunity to learn without distractions.

The proposal allows for tablets and other school-issued devices for learning while including exceptions for medical reasons or individual education plans (IEPs).

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt supported the proposal by highlighting research indicating phone-free schools likely reduce distraction and increase focus among students. "Parents and teachers worldwide have seen the damage caused by spending much of the school day on phones," Haidt said.

Senator Michelle Axtman of Bismarck introduced SB 2354, while Representative Jim Jonas of West Fargo sponsored HB 1160; both agreed to amend their bills with this language. House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Senate Majority Leader David Hogue also expressed support.

"The most effective way to reverse negative trends is by enacting a clear statewide device-free policy," Axtman stated in prepared testimony.

Sixteen states currently enforce some level of phone-free policies in schools, with more considering similar measures according to anxiousgeneration.com. Arkansas recently passed a law banning cell phones during the school day.

Addyson Rademacher-Nyame, an eighth-grader at Mandan Middle School, endorsed the proposal as "a great start to building healthy habits." She urged lawmakers to pass the bill stating it would benefit her generation as well as future ones.