COLUMBUS, Ohio — Earlier this year, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill that would require a cell phone usage policy be created at every school district in the state.

What You Need To Know

  • An Ohio law states schools must have a cell phone usage policy in place by July 1, 2025

  • The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce issued a report looking at the status of implementation across the state

  • A total of 61% of respondendents said they have already adopted formal policies

  • Earlier this year, the state released a model policy schools can use should they not wish to create their own

That now-law stipulates a policy must be in place by all schools by July 1, 2025.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has just issued a report on the status of this implementation across districts, thanks to a survey that was sent out to school leaders and superintendents.

The report states that 61% of the 992 respondents said they have already “adopted formal policies.” They also found that 5% have the policy drafted with it ready to be adopted, 31% are currently working on the policy and just 3% have not started on it.

“Town and Suburban districts (as categorized by the state’s district typology), along with joint vocational school districts, are somewhat more likely than other districts to be in the drafting or approval phases,” the report reads.

It also found that 65% had implemented the policy at the start of this school year. A total of 17% intend to implement it later this school year and another 17% at the start of next school year.

“The rate of early implementation was highest among Urban districts,” the report reads.

When it comes to how cell phones use will be banned in schools, it’s a pretty even split so far among schools intending to ban the devices at all times and those just banning at specific times, at 41% and 45% respectively. Fourteen percent have not made a decision as of yet.

“The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, under the leadership of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, encourages all districts and schools to adopt a local policy to eliminate cell phone use during the school day,” the report reads.

Earlier this year, the state released a model policy schools can use should they not wish to create their own.

“By removing the distraction of cell phones from classrooms, our school children will be free to flourish and will see improved academic engagement and social interaction,” DeWine said in a press release at the time. “Schools that implement this model policy will quickly see positive results by giving children a break from the nonstop notifications that have proven to be harmful to student performance and mental health.”

Related Stories