Follows State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law for Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide
86% of Schools Across New York Have Submitted Their Distraction-Free Policy to Date
Remaining Schools Expected To Finalize Policy in the Coming Days at Upcoming School Board Meetings
From the Office of NY Governor Kathy Hochul,
Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with Finger Lakes region school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall. The roundtable included representatives of Monroe-2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester City School District, Greece Central School District, Holley Central School District and Spencerport Central School District — all of whom have already finalized their distraction-free policy. Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region and Central New York, with additional roundtables to come before the start of school.
Governor Hochul also highlighted that, as of today, nearly 950 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policy to State education officials — representing 86 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement. The nearly 950 policy submissions to date include nearly 650 policy submissions from public school districts across the state. Additional districts and schools are expected to finalize their policy in the coming days at upcoming school board meetings scheduled for August.
“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”
The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.
Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:
- Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
- Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
- Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Preventing inequitable discipline
