Greenville Follows South Carolina’s Proposal to Ban Cellphones in Schools
Greenville, SC – A new initiative is underway in South Carolina aimed at limiting student cellphone usage in schools. This action follows a provision included in the state’s education budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, which requires school districts to put policies in place that restrict electronic communication devices, including cellphones.
What’s Happening?
The South Carolina Department of Education has taken significant steps since April, when the General Assembly approved the education budget. On August 13, the Board of Education passed a first reading of a model policy. This policy advises that school districts adopt rules for a “phone-free school environment.” A final vote on this measure is scheduled for September 10.
Once approved, individual school boards will need to have their policies in place by January 2025 to continue receiving state funding. Currently, the behavior code at Greenville County Schools allows the use of electronic devices to support learning, but the individual schools create their own guidelines on how students should use these devices.
Community Feedback and Research
In preparation for the new policy, Greenville County Schools is collecting feedback from its staff. Tim Waller, the director of media relations for GCS, spoke on the importance of this process, noting that the input will be sent to the Department of Education.
A survey conducted by the South Carolina Department of Education in May gathered responses from over 9,700 educators regarding the impact of cellphones in the classroom. The results were revealing, with 56% reporting daily disruptions caused by cellphones. Furthermore, 55% of the educators believe that a total ban during school hours is necessary for the policy to be effective.
National Trends
This push for banning cellphones isn’t unique to South Carolina. States like Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, and Virginia have already enacted similar rules aimed at curbing distractions and improving students’ academic performance. Jason Raven from the Department of Education highlighted ongoing concerns over the effects of smartphone use, stating that it creates challenges for academic success and mental health.
As this initiative progresses, it is clear that the goal is to provide a learning environment free from constant digital distractions, allowing students to focus on their education.
