The New Jersey Department of Education has introduced a new grant program to financially support school districts that implement strict, full-day bans on student cellphone use. The initiative, called the "Phone-Free Schools Grant Program," is designed to encourage districts to adopt policies that require students in grades 6 through 12 to store their devices from the first bell to the last.
This move comes shortly after a state commission recommended such measures to address the negative impacts of cellphone and social media use on adolescents during school hours. The grants aim to help schools cover the costs associated with creating a phone-free learning environment.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey is providing grants to schools that enforce a "bell-to-bell" cellphone ban for grades 6-12.
- Districts must require students to store their phones for the entire school day to be eligible.
- Grant funds, starting at a minimum of $500, can be used for storage systems and staff training.
- The program follows a state commission's report on the harmful effects of social media on students.
- Policies that only limit phone use during class time do not qualify for the funding.
Details of the Grant Program
The "Phone-Free Schools Grant Program," announced on October 1, offers a financial incentive for public school districts to adopt comprehensive cellphone restrictions. To qualify, a district must establish a policy that prohibits student cellphone use for the entire duration of the school day, often referred to as a "bell-to-bell" ban.
According to the state's Department of Education, selected districts will receive a minimum grant of $500. The final amount awarded will depend on the total number of districts that apply and are approved for the program. State officials have not specified a maximum grant amount.
The funds are designated for specific purposes related to the implementation of these new policies. Schools can use the money to purchase and install storage solutions to securely hold student devices during the day. This includes options like lockable pouches, individual lockers, secure bins, or cabinets.
Funding Allocation
Grant money is intended for two primary areas: purchasing secure storage systems for student devices and providing professional development for staff on how to consistently and equitably enforce the new phone-free policy.
Additionally, the grant can cover the cost of training for teachers and staff. This training is meant to ensure that the district's cellphone policy is implemented consistently and fairly across all schools and classrooms, creating a uniform standard for students.
Strict Policy Requirements
The state has set a high bar for eligibility, emphasizing that only the most stringent policies will be considered for funding. The core requirement is that students' internet-enabled devices must be collected and stored when they arrive at school and only returned to them at dismissal.
This approach is significantly stricter than the policies currently in place at many New Jersey schools. While some schools ban phones during instructional time, they often permit students to use them during lunch, in hallways between classes, or at their lockers.
What Doesn't Qualify?
The Department of Education explicitly stated that less restrictive policies are not eligible for the grant. Approaches like "Off and Away," where students keep their phones but must have them turned off and put away, or "Limited Use" policies do not meet the program's criteria.
This all-or-nothing requirement signals the state's preference for learning environments completely free from the distraction of personal devices. The deadline for districts to apply for the grant was October 31.
State Commission's Influence
The grant program was launched just two weeks after a significant report from the New Jersey Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage in Adolescents. In September, the commission strongly urged all schools in the state to prohibit student access to cellphones and social media throughout the school day.
The commission's report detailed numerous potential harms linked to constant social media access, including negative impacts on mental health, increased instances of cyberbullying, and diminished academic focus among students.
The report highlighted the connection between cellphone access in schools and issues such as anxiety, depression, and distraction from learning, recommending a full-day ban as a proactive measure.
By offering financial support, the Department of Education is actively encouraging districts to adopt the commission's key recommendation. However, it's important to note that there is no statewide law or mandate governing cellphone use in schools; each of New Jersey's nearly 600 school districts retains the authority to set its own rules.
How Schools Are Implementing Policies
The debate over cellphone policies is not new, and districts across New Jersey have adopted various approaches. Some have already moved toward the stricter model now being incentivized by the state.
A Model for Phone-Free Schools
Ramsey High School in Bergen County serves as an example of a district that has already implemented a bell-to-bell ban. In January, the school began requiring students to secure their phones in Yondr pouches for the entire day.
Yondr is a company that produces lockable fabric pouches for cellphones. Students place their phones in the pouch upon entering school, and it locks automatically. They keep the pouch with them, but it can only be unlocked by tapping it on a special magnetic base, which are made available at dismissal.
- Yondr Pouch System:
- Students place their phone in a pouch.
- The pouch locks magnetically upon entry.
- Students retain possession of the locked pouch.
- Unlocking stations are used at the end of the day.
Less Restrictive Approaches
In contrast, other districts have policies that would not qualify for the new grant. The Jersey City school district, the state's second-largest, recently enacted a rule requiring students to turn their devices off or switch them to airplane mode during class. However, this policy does not require phones to be stored for the entire day and allows for use during non-instructional times, falling short of the grant's requirements.
The new grant program may influence districts like Jersey City to consider more restrictive measures as the national conversation continues to focus on the role of technology in student well-being and academic achievement.