SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. — Over the summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul passed Education Law §2803, also known as the “Distraction Free Schools Law,” banning all cell phones, tablets, and other internet-enabled smart devices “from bell to bell” in all public, charter, and BOCES schools in New York State. ‘
Education Law §2803 was initiated by Hochul after conducting a statewide “listening tour” regarding concerns from educators and parents about the overuse of cell phones in schools. Her findings were published in a report that listed student safety, mental health, social skills, and academic success as problematic areas that were all related to the distractions caused by cell phones and smart devices.
The full report can be found at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Cell-Phone-Ban-Overview_Findings_Recommendations.pdf
The new law, which took effect at the beginning of this school year, bans the use of personal internet-enabled devices during the entire instructional school day, including study periods, lunch, and recess. New York is currently the largest state in the country with such a law in effect. School-provided internet-enabled devices, such as Chromebooks and other devices assigned to students for instructional use, are permitted.
Devices that can’t access the internet are allowed, and exceptions can be made for students who require personal devices for English translation services, individualized education plans (IEPs), healthcare management, and legitimate emergency circumstances.
Schools were required to put policies in place to effectively manage storage of student devices, to provide consequences to students who violated those policies, and to provide methods for student-parent communication. Each school district will be required to publish annual reports detailing policy enforcement. To assist with the implementation of such policies, a $13.5 million budget was secured to distribute to schools for the purchase of storage devices or systems in secondary education schools.
Backpacks alone were not considered “allowable storage solutions.”
The Saratogian made inquiries to school districts around Saratoga County to see how schools are faring under the new law. Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) and Ballston Spa Central School District (BSCSD) reported very strong positive results. Shenendehowa Central School District and South Glens Falls Central School District declined to comment.
The elementary schools at SSCSD and BSCSD were the least affected by the new law, since both districts encourage students not to bring in personal devices at all, or leave them “off and away” in their lockers, cubbies, and backpacks. Lake Avenue Elementary School’s principal, Elizabeth Carroll, noted her school has always been device-free, so there was little change for the students.
BSCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gianleo Duca reported that for the Ballston Spa Middle School and High School students, an “off and away” policy had already been in effect before Education Law §2803 came into play.
Ballston Spa Middle School has already been phone-free for four years, and Ballston Spa High School for two years. Students store their devices in their lockers. Instead of opting for personal storage devices such as Yondr pouches, Duca says his district’s available funding was put towards storage lockers for the offices and the P-Tech school.
“It wasn’t a huge leap for our kids,” Duca said. “We really haven’t had any pushback at all.”
Before the new law came into effect, students were allowed to use their phones during lunch periods and non-instructional time. To give them something else to do, the high school principal put air hockey and foosball tables in the cafeteria. They’ve been very popular. And Duca says that positive changes are visible throughout the school day. Building principals in the district are reporting an anecdotal decrease in behavior violations.
For students who require exceptions to the law, such as for healthcare management or translation services, there is a process to apply for an exemption. The students are identified to building staff so they are aware of exactly who is allowed to access their devices during the school day. Duca reports that so far, there have been no issues with the process.
BSCSD will take a formal look at results at the halfway point and end of the academic school year, but so far, Duca is very happy with the results he’s seeing.
“Kids are paying attention more in class, they’re talking,” he commented. “You go in the hallways, and the kids are loud. It’s a good thing. I do applaud the state; this has been really well received.”
Saratoga Springs High School principal Michelle Tsaro reported that SSCSD made a point of getting ahead of the curve.
“We started a teacher-led committee about a year and a half ago when we knew this was being discussed in the governor’s office,” she said. “We wanted to be proactive. It worked out so well timing-wise that the law became a law, and the district was ready to act on our policy. We didn’t have to scramble because we already had a lot of pieces in place.”
Students at the middle school and high school are required to store their silenced cell phones in their lockers for the duration of the school day. Other devices, such as tablets and smart watches, are discouraged. Specific protocols were written outlining the consequences for any student found in violation of the district policy — though fortunately, Tsaro says she hasn’t had to use them much.
“I can tell you, our students are impressively compliant with this law,” she said. “There’s more communication, more interactions, and it’s really great to see. I see more students making eye contact and having conversations to resolve issues. We’re seeing less negative incidents as a result of no social media. Students are realizing they don’t have to post their emotions the second something happens.”
In case a student needs to call their parent during the day, they can go to the office to place the call at any time. If a parent needs to contact a student, the office will deliver the message in between instructional periods. Tsaro says she’s seeing a surprise benefit to the high school students not having their parents at their fingertips anymore.
“I’m seeing more independence in our students,” she commented. “I think there’s a lot of growth happening, which is really nice to see.”
Tsaro is very pleased by the positive changes she’s seeing in the high school since the new law took effect.
“We all commented back in September and October how lively and loud it was in the cafeteria and hallways! They’re brought back to life because the kids are talking again,” she said. “The number one thing that is appreciated about how this policy is going is how great our students are doing with it. It’s not even a question anymore — they’re so aligned with compliance. They’re working with it and doing it in a very positive way. These students are wonderful.”
For more details about Education Law §2803, visit https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/2803
Ballston Spa HIgh School is located at 220 Ballston Ave in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (MediaNews Group file photo)