Education

How the Proposed Ban on Cellphones in Illinois Classrooms Would Work

Illinois students have yet to recover from pandemic-era learning losses, according to a study from the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative released in August that showed less than a quarter of school districts are “back to pre-pandemic levels in English language arts.”  The figure is lower for math, with 15% of high schools scoring on SAT math as well as before the pandemic and 22% in grades 3-8.

One change Gov. J.B. Pritzker said could improve student achievement: banning an “impediment to learning in the classroom: cellphones.”

During his budget address last month, Pritzker committed to requiring Illinois schools to ban cellphones during classroom instruction.

“More focus on learning will bring even greater success for kids across the state,” Pritzker said. “Furthermore, cyberbullying has expanded at alarming rates, and it’s time for Illinois to take measures to protect our kids.”

Illinois legislators are answering Pritzker’s call, with Republicans and Democrats on the Senate education committee Tuesday voting for a measure that was written in coordination with the governor’s office.

Sponsoring state Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said she gets distracted when she receives a text, so it stands to reason that students can’t focus on learning if they’re checking their phones during class.

“When you talk about students focusing on their educational attainment and their mental health, cellphones, or any kind of wireless devise not issued by the school, are a distraction,” Castro said.

While some advocates are calling for Illinois to adopt a stricter policy, Castro said she expects the language advanced by the Senate panel (Senate Bill 2427) will be the final version.

If this is the proposal that becomes law, here’s how it would work.

The Basics

Illinois isn’t banning cellphones in schools outright; rather, it is requiring school districts to adopt their own “wireless communication device policy.”

Which Devices Would Be Banned?

Cellphones, tablets, smart watches, laptops, smart glasses, gaming devices … anything that the bill defines as a “portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging or other data communication between 2 or more parties.”

When Could Students Use — or Not Use — Their Phones?

Illinois is mandating a ban on mobile devices during class or “instruction time” as it’s phrased in the legislation. The state is focusing on cellphone usage when learning is supposed to be happening and a teacher is teaching.

But if a district wants, it could allow students to be on their phones or use their personal tablets, laptops or other devices during recess, lunch and passing periods.

So Can My Student Still Take a Phone to School?

The measure doesn’t forbid mobile devices outright, so pupils can bring their phones or wear a smart watch. But they wouldn’t be allowed to use them when in the classroom.

The bill requires that when districts adopt a policy, that it “incorporates guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time or directs the district superintendent … to provide such guidance.”

Some school districts already have device bans in place. Castro said in Peoria students store their devices in lockable pouches at their desks.

Exceptions: When a Cell, Laptop or Tablet is Allowed

Besides potentially recess, hallways and the cafeteria, the measure recognizes that computers and other tech are fixtures of the modern classroom, particularly for certain students.

That means school-issued devices — say a laptop that’s regularly used for lessons, note-taking or projects — that were directly issued or provided to students for use during class are still allowed.

Schools must allow (as in, cannot prohibit) the use of devices during instructional time:

• if a doctor determines the device is “necessary for the health or well-being of the student” and the student uses the device as prescribed
• if the device is part of an individualized education program (IEP)
• if a student learning English needs a device to access learning materials

Schools also have the option to allow devices in class:

• “if school personnel have authorized the student” to use a device “for educational purposes” 
• in “the event of an emergency”

What if a Student Breaks the Rule?

The legislation doesn’t specify what happens to a student that sneaks a text during class

The legislation does specify that schools cannot enforce the ban “through fees, fines, or the deployment of a school resource officer or local law enforcement officer.”

When Would This Go Into Effect?

School boards would have to have the policy in place before the 2026-27 school year.

Districts would have to review their policy every three years. Who knows what tech will be available when students return from summer break in 2029?

Schools must either post their policy on the district’s website, or if a district doesn’t have an online presence, parents would need to be provided the pertinent information.

How Much Leeway Do Schools Have?

Schools would have some flexibility. While Illinois plans to require districts to ban devices in the classroom, each district has the option of deciding whether the ban carries over during the rest of school hours.

The proposal specifies that a district is not precluded from “prohibiting the use or possession of wireless communication devices” period, though districts would need to accommodate the exemptions (listed above).

“It is the floor, not the ceiling,” Castro said of the measure advancing in the General Assembly. “It is a guideline. If they (school districts) want to make it tougher, they can.”

What’s Next?

The policy passed the Senate committee without any “no” votes.

Proponents include the Illinois Education Association, TechNet, the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Illinois Public Health Institute, Pritzker’s office, the Illinois State Police and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The measure needs to be passed by the full Senate and House before it can get to Pritzker, who would surely sign what he’s made a signature of the session. 

Contact Amanda Vinicky: @AmandaVinicky | [email protected]

---