92% of New York Schools Report Smooth Transition to Governor’s Phone-Free Policy | Education

ALBANY, N.Y. — New survey findings regarding Gov. Kathy Hochul’s distraction-free schools law have been released.

The Governor’s Office, which conducted the survey in November, received over 350 responses from school administrators who implemented bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this year.

The survey found that 92 percent of schools reported a smooth transition to the new policy.

Feedback from schools highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, the governor noted. 

The survey also showed that 83 percent of schools experienced more positive classroom environments and better student engagement.

Additionally, 75 percent of respondents reported that the distraction-free policy improved their ability to teach effectively.

For more NEWSChannel 2 coverage of the cellphone ban in local schools, click on the linked stories below.

The State of New York has introduced a new policy for a cellphone-free school year, creating distraction-free environments in K-12 schools.

Students in Utica resumed classes today, but they had to check their cellphones and other internet-enabled devices at the front door because of a new statewide bell-to-bell ban.

The Utica City School District is inviting families to discuss the controversial topic of the State’s bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools.