Across New York, 10 percent of school districts have not yet submitted their plans for implementing a smartphone ban, despite the state deadline having passed. Governor Kathy Hochul announced this during a visit to Middletown High School in Orange County. She noted that 90 percent of schools have submitted their "distraction-free" policies, which aim to prohibit students from bringing smartphones to school starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

The new policy, part of the Distraction-Free Schools law, requires K-12 schools across New York to enforce bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling." The law allows for exceptions, such as for students with medical needs or those requiring devices for academic purposes.

Governor Hochul has been actively engaging with school leaders to ensure smooth implementation. She recently held a roundtable with New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and other stakeholders to discuss the policy's rollout.

Despite the delay from some districts, Hochul remains optimistic that the remaining schools will finalize their plans soon. The state has provided resources, including a policy FAQ and toolkit, to assist schools in developing their policies.

Middletown City School District is among those that have already aligned with the new policy, reinforcing their commitment to creating focused and safe learning environments. The policy is expected to enhance student engagement and reduce distractions in classrooms.

State officials continue to support districts in meeting the requirements, aiming for a successful statewide implementation by the start of the school year.

Elvis Duran