From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- Gwinnett County Public Schools approved a ban on personal electronic devices for kindergarten through eighth grade during the school day.
- The ban prevents use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, to reduce distractions and improve classroom focus for elementary and middle students.
- Board approved policy 3 to 2; some members urged a high school ban. Interim Superintendent Al Taylor said review may occur by January.
District leaders said the move is required to comply with a new Georgia law that takes effect next year and limits cell phone use for younger students.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County Public Schools, the state’s largest school district, has approved a new cell phone policy banning personal electronic devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade during the school day.
The school board approved the policy in a 3-2 vote. District leaders said the move is required to comply with a new Georgia law that takes effect next year and limits cell phone use for younger students. The law does not apply to high school students.
Under the policy, elementary and middle school students will not be allowed to use personal electronic devices, including cell phones, while at school. District officials said the change is aimed at reducing distractions and improving classroom focus.
The close vote highlighted disagreement among board members. Some members who opposed the policy said it does not go far enough and argued that high school students should also be included in a device ban.
You can watch highlights of the meeting below:
Georgia’s new cell phone law leaves decisions about high school usage up to local school districts. For now, Gwinnett County high school students will continue to follow the district’s existing rules regarding personal electronic devices.
Interim Superintendent Al Taylor said the board may revisit the issue in the coming months. He told board members that district leaders plan to review how the policy works once it is implemented and consider whether changes are needed.
The board is expected to take another look at policies surrounding high school cell phone use as early as January.
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