Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has introduced a bill to keep students from using cell phones during school hours.
What the Bill Does
Sen. Gallego's Supporting Focus in Schools Act is very similar to the bipartisan Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free (UNPLUGGED) Schools Grant Act introduced by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), last week.
Like the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act, Sen. Gallego's bill establishes a grant program under the Department of Education to help school districts maintain bans on cell phone use in class, with exceptions for medical purposes or emergencies.
The funds are used specifically to help schools buy lockers and phone pouches to secure phones and provide additional teacher training.
What Gallego is Saying
"Kids are getting phones younger and younger, and we're seeing the consequences in the classroom: more distractions, less learning. As a dad of three young kids, I worry about the repercussions this has for their future," the Arizona Senator said in a press release, adding, "It's time to get cell phones out of the classroom. Kids should engage with what they're learning — without a phone constantly pulling their attention away."
Previous Education Efforts
In early September, Gallego unveiled his "Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America's Public Education System," his proposed reform program.
The four key provisions include strengthening Title I, IDEA, Impact Aid, the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), Secure Rural Schools (SRS), and E-Rate; collaboration between states and school districts to raise teachers' salaries and improve programs related to residency, preparation, financial aid, and mentorship; measures to address chronic student absenteeism, learning loss, mental health, tutoring, and after-school programs; and the expansion of access to college and career advising, dual enrollment, career and technical education, apprenticeships, and work-based learning opportunities.
"Even though I grew up poor, I was lucky enough to get a good enough education, make it to Harvard, and eventually become a U.S. Senator," Gallego previously said. "Every kid deserves that same fair shot. Instead, Donald Trump's gutting of the Department of Education has left our most vulnerable students behind."
