Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a budget proposal for a complete ban on smartphones and devices in New York schools. The initiative, termed a "bell-to-bell" ban, aims to minimize distractions from social media and enhance mental well-being among students. The plan will allocate $13.5 million to assist schools in implementing their own device policies. While Hochul emphasized the necessity of disconnecting during all school activities, schools will have the discretion to manage compliance and storage of devices. Exceptions will remain for students needing devices for specific medical or learning reasons.
"By the start of the next school year, every student will be required to disconnect from their devices during school hours bell to bell," Hochul said in her budget speech.
"Districts will decide how they want to store devices and how they will ensure compliance," she said. "Of course, there will be exceptions for students who need their devices for medical reasons..."
"Kudos to the governor taking a leadership role," he said. "We need to make sure there is accountability and enforcement, so the [bell-to-bell ban] is not just a piece of paper."
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