MA senate passes bill to ban cell phone use in schools

At the Statehouse the senate is debating a big change in the classroom They want masses schools to ban students from using cell phones during the school day Why wouldn t we do this Senator Barry Finegold petitioned The law would take effect in the - school year and the state will mandate a bell to bell ban including lunch and recess The state will develop a model strategy but school systems can adjust it to do what works best for them In Salem which has not allowed cell phone use during school hours for years the superintendent of schools says he hopes the bill becomes law I think this is the right thing for any teaching anywhere Steve Zrike reported Superintendent of Salem Schools It has very essential impacts on learner attendance participant s sense of safety issues around discipline levels of engagement in classrooms and ultimately I think it has great outcomes for young people Senator Jason Lewis says research has shown a scholar s classroom performance can increase by a full letter grade and a half after his or her classroom becomes a no cell zone Plenty of students have linked cell phone use with worse mental soundness less physical activity poorer sleep lower grades more disruptive classroom behavior and decreased self esteem Lewis announced The bill contains several exceptions including students with documented disabilities kids with clinical conditions like diabetes who use their smartphones to monitor blood sugar levels and students who may need to movement off campus for internships or other programs would be able to use their phones It has widespread help in the legislature Specific believe it will help improve students mental soundness