New Cellphone Ban in New Hampshire Schools Sparks Mixed Reactions: Focus on Face-to-Face Engagement and Academic Productivity

WEST LEBANON, N.H. — As students at Lebanon High School settle into their daily routines, a newfound quiet has emerged in the hallways and cafeteria, driven by a statewide ban on cellphones during school hours. The ban, which took effect this academic year, has forced students to rethink their relationship with technology, shifting the focus from screens to face-to-face interaction and academic engagement. Seventeen-year-old Nehemiah Billings, who typically would have pulled out his phone during lunch, now dedicates that time to schoolwork, such as drafting an introductory letter for his Shakespeare class. “This is forcing … Read more

Iowa Schools Gear Up for Major Classroom Changes: New Laws Target Cellphone Use and Fetal Development Education

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As the new school year unfolds, two significant laws are set to reshape classroom dynamics across Iowa. The legislation, which targets cell phone usage and educational content, aims to establish clearer boundaries and enhance parental communication in school settings. One of the newly enacted laws mandates that school districts develop policies prohibiting cell phone use during instructional time. Several districts, such as Iowa City, already had similar regulations in place prior to the law’s passage, indicating a trend toward minimizing distractions in the classroom. Additionally, the law necessitates that schools implement … Read more

Arkansas Unveils Sweeping Legal Changes: From School Cellphone Bans to New Execution Methods

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A series of significant state laws will take effect in Arkansas on Tuesday, reshaping various aspects of education, public health, and social policy. Among the changes, a law banning cellphones in public schools, a new execution method, and the repeal of affirmative action programs are among the notable measures. The “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act,” mandates that school districts develop policies to prohibit cellphone use during school hours. The law, supported by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, requires districts to submit their policies to the Arkansas Department of Education by mid-August, … Read more

North Dakota Enacts Sweeping New Laws: From School Cellphone Bans to Tax Reforms and Enhanced Driver Regulations

FARGO, N.D. — Beginning August 1, new legislation will introduce significant changes in North Dakota, impacting daily life across the state. As cities like Fargo work through budgetary challenges exacerbated by recent reforms limiting annual property tax increases, local officials are looking for alternatives to close budget shortfalls. Among the notable laws is a measure that prohibits the use of cellphones in public schools throughout the academic day, save for specific exceptions. School districts have been actively preparing to implement and enforce this policy in anticipation of the new school year. Motorists in North Dakota … Read more