RICHMOND, Virginia – State educators have finalized their draft policy aimed at banning public school students in grades K-12 from using cell phones during class.
In July, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to develop policies and procedures regarding student cell phone use to be implemented in public schools.
Check out previous coverage: Youngkin calls for cellphone-free classes in Virginia public schools
Youngkin calls for cellphone-free classes in Virginia public schools
The Ministry has issued the following draft guidelines for primary, middle and high school students:
Primary school
If a parent decides that an elementary student must bring a cell phone or personal electronic communications device to school, it must be put away, turned off, and away from the student during the school day. It may not be used in the school building or on school grounds before or after school.Middle School
In middle school, students should not have a readily accessible cell phone or personal electronic communications device during the school day. School divisions should establish local policies governing the use of cell phones and personal electronic communications devices inside the school building or on school property outside of the school day, including before and after school.Secondary school
In high school, students should not have a cell phone or personal electronic communication device readily accessible during the school day. Outside of class time, cell phones and personal electronic communication devices may be used on the high school campus before or after school.
The department also proposed the following guidelines for the use of mobile phones in emergency situations:
“The Department has also heard parents’ concerns about students with documented medical conditions using their phones to monitor their medical needs. With input from school nurses, pediatricians, and health officials, the draft policy recognizes that students with medical needs may be eligible for an exception in their 504, IEP, and/or individual health plan.
Parents have also been very clear about their need to be informed of their child’s well-being in an emergency situation. The Department has recognized the importance of emergency communication with parents and requires that all school divisions include plans for direct communication with parents as well as reunification plans with children and parents in their already mandated crisis and emergency plans. School divisions should discuss these emergency communication and reunification plans with parents so that parents and students know how to proactively handle such situations when they occur.
Parents also asked for the ability to communicate with their children during the school day in the event of a family emergency. While many schools already have such procedures in place, the Department’s directive calls on school divisions to treat family emergencies with urgency and ensure that students receive the information and support they need. Each school should share its family emergency plan procedures with parents and students and post them on its website.
In developing these guidelines, VDOE representatives sought input from parents, students, teachers and others across the state.
According to a VDOE press release, the final guidelines will be completed in September and can be adopted by school divisions by January 1, 2025. However, school divisions can also adopt policies and procedures that are “more comprehensive” than the VDOE guidelines before then, the press release states.
Click here for more information on the VDOE’s proposed guidelines.
