R.I. poised to ban cellphones in schools

If signed into law, it won't go into effect until Aug. 1, 2026, giving districts a full school year to come up with their policies.
Related
:
A growing number of states and school districts have been restricting the use of smart phones in school, citing the intense distraction they cause, bullying concerns, and seeking to encourage more in-person social interaction.
Get Rhode Map
A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Reports of cyberbullying in middle schools are on the rise since the pandemic, according to the
Advertisement
Governor Dan McKee's office did not immediately say Monday night if he would sign the bill, but the legislation received veto-proof majorities in both chambers. (The House and Senate still must pass each other's identical bills before sending to McKee's desk.)
Advertisement
Multiple school districts have already chosen to ban cellphones in school. Central Falls was among the first in Rhode Island to lock up the phones in Yondr pouches all day, keeping school phone-free from 'bell-to-bell.' South Kingstown implemented a similar pouch system this past school year, and some Providence schools use them as well.
Others are more flexible. The Globe reported last year that Lincoln High School
The bill allows exceptions for medical needs, such a student with diabetes who uses a smart phone for glucose monitoring, or a student with disabilities who uses adaptive technology. Exceptions can also be made 'in case of emergency,' the bill says.
Many schools provide Chromebooks to students, so they will still have access to technology for class purposes.
Both major teachers unions in Rhode Island supported the legislation. Teachers have long lamented being enforcers of cellphone policies, especially if they had to take phones away.
'In the post-pandemic world, many students are still grappling with the overstimulation caused by constant digital interaction,' Maribeth Calabro, the president of the American Federal of Teachers Rhode Island, wrote in testimony urging lawmakers to pass the legislation. 'Banning cell phones can help mitigate these issues by removing the temptation to check notifications, social media, or games during class, fostering better concentration.'
Some school leaders said the lack of statewide guidance was making it harder for schools to tackle the pervasive cellphone issue.
Advertisement
'The absence of statewide standards or expectations places a significant burden on local districts, often leading to inconsistent enforcement, pushback from families, and a lack of clarity for students and staff alike,' said Jared Vance, the principal at Rogers High School in Newport, in testimony in support of the bill.
When the Globe
The ACLU of Rhode Island testified with privacy concerns, prompting lawmakers to amend the bill to add that school officials cannot search the contents of a device they confiscate.
The Rhode Island Department of Education, which has never issued guidance about cellphones, was in support of the legislation, spokesperson Victor Morente said, 'underscoring the important of flexibility for districts.'
Arguing in favor of the bill Monday night, Education Committee Chairman Joseph McNamara said schools that have implemented phone bans report 'students are talking to each other and listening to each other' again.
'As an educator who was involved in the transition before and after cellphones came into play, I can personally attest to the fact that they negatively changed the climate in our schools,' McNamara said.
Steph Machado can be reached at

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

33 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert Mock Trump for Complaining on Juneteenth About ‘Too Many Non-Working Holidays': ‘Juneteenth Is a Day of Joy — So Donald Trump Doesn't Like It'

President Trump did not issue any direct public comments about or host any events commemorating Juneteenth, the federal holiday that marks the official end of the United States' enslavement of people. But the president alluded to Juneteenth in a post on social media, claiming that there are 'Too many non-working holidays in America' and that 'It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Late-night TV hosts skewered Trump's non-observance of the holiday. More from Variety Trump Is 'Flouting the Law' in Delaying Enforcement of TikTok Ban, a Top Senate Democrat Says Trump Says David Ellison Is 'Great, He'll Do a Great Job' Running Merged Skydance-Paramount, as FCC Deal Approval Is Still Pending Mark Ruffalo Slams 'Grifter' Trump and Says 'Billionaires Are the Problem, Not Immigrants': They're 'Stealing You Blind' While 'Immigrants Add to the Economy' 'You might find this hard to believe, from a president who's done more for Blacks than Abraham Lincoln, but Trump is not a fan' of Juneteenth, Jimmy Kimmel said on his ABC show — referring to a comment Trump actually once made. Said Kimmel, 'If Trump were to acknowledge Juneteenth, he would risk upsetting his not-at-all-racist-and-how-dare-you-say-we-are base. They're like, 'We're the ones who stopped enslaving — they should have a holiday for us!'' About his comment about the U.S. having 'too many non-working holidays,' Kimmel commented: 'Says the guy who just had a birthday parade for himself. Says the guy who has been in office for 150 days and has golfed 37 times that we know of.' 'I don't know, to me, it seems like a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery is one we should all be for,' Kimmel remarked. Stephen Colbert opened 'The Late Show' on CBS by wishing his audience a happy Juneteenth. 'It's a great day, a day to celebrate freedom,' he said. Colbert continued, 'Juneteenth is a day of joy — so Donald Trump doesn't like it.' Colbert pointed out that on Trump's first day back in the White House, Jan. 20, the president signed an executive order requiring the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. In response, the Defense Intelligence Agency ordered a pause of all activities and events related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day and other 'special observances' to comply with the anti-DEI direction, NBC News reported. 'So [Trump] wants celebrating Juneteenth to be controversial now,' Colbert said. But, he said, 'You cannot stop people from celebrating freedom. You can't make them turn down their joy,' before playing a clip of DJ Snake and Lil John's 'Turn Down for What.' On Thursday, Trump posted a complaint on Truth Social about there being 'Too many non-working holidays in America.' 'Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either!' Trump wrote. 'Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' At a White House press briefing Thursday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if Trump was commemorating Juneteenth in any way. 'I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today,' Leavitt said. 'I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We're working 24-7 right now.' President Biden in 2021 signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, establishing a federal holiday on the date. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in the state of Texas, nearly two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar

American Military News

43 minutes ago

• American Military News

US lawmakers honor Dalai Lama with bipartisan resolution ahead of 90th birthday

This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission. Ahead of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday on July 6, U.S. lawmakers have introduced bipartisan resolutions in both chambers of the U.S. Congress to honor the Tibetan spiritual leader and designate the anniversary as 'A Day of Compassion.' The resolution – introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday and in the Senate on Tuesday – reaffirms that only the Dalai Lama himself should determine his successor and that any attempt by Beijing to select or appoint one would be an 'invalid interference' and violation of religious freedom rights. China has sought greater control over Tibetan Buddhism since invading the independent Himalayan country in 1950 and forcing the Dalai Lama into exile in India in 1959. In 2007, Beijing announced it would oversee the recognition of all reincarnate Tibetan lamas, including the next Dalai Lama. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), who co-introduced the Senate resolution with Todd Young (R-Indiana), emphasized the broader stakes. 'As the Chinese government continues to ignore the rights of Tibet under international law, we're sending the message that we must protect these fundamental freedoms,' Merkley said. In the House, Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) introduced a similar resolution recognizing the Dalai Lama's 'outstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and religious understanding.' 'Despite having faced persecution, oppression, and unspeakable violence at the hands of the CCP, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has maintained inner peace and continues to preach compassion – inspiring not only his own people, but the entire world,' said McCaul. CCP refers to the Chinese Communist Party. McCaul last year led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Dharamsala, India, where he presented the Dalai Lama with a framed copy of a U.S. bill, that was later signed into law, in support of Tibetan people's right to self-determination. 'The people of Tibet have an inalienable right to self-determination, and our resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to Tibetans by supporting their basic human rights, religious freedom, culture, and language,' said Merkley. In recent years, China has sought to control the reincarnation process of Tibetan religious leaders in an apparent attempt to appoint the Dalai Lama's successor. But in his new book titled 'Voice for the Voiceless,' the Dalai Lama has said that his successor would be born in the 'free world,' which he described as outside China. 'The new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission of the Dalai Lama – that is, to be the voice for universal compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet embodying the aspirations of the Tibetan people – will continue,' the Dalai Lama said in the book. The latest resolution reiterates that the selection and installation of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders are within the authority of the Tibetan Buddhist community. 'I'm proud to stand with the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet in their struggle for freedom and peace against the Chinese Communist Party's continued aggression. The CCP's status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable,' said Young. The resolution is co-sponsored by a group of bipartisan lawmakers including Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), and Young Kim (R-Calif.), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Both resolutions have to be approved by committee and then voted on by each chamber before passage.

USA Today

an hour ago

• USA Today

'No Secret Police': Lawmakers propose prohibiting masked agents

'No Secret Police': Lawmakers propose prohibiting masked agents Show Caption Hide Caption ICE to continue worksite raids following pause One week after President Trump's halt on raids for certain worksites, ICE is set to continue those operations. Fox - 26 Houston Two California lawmakers are pushing legislation that would prevent law enforcement from covering their faces when making arrests in the state. The "No Secret Police Act," introduced by two Democrats in the California Senate, is a reaction to immigration sweeps across the country by masked agents in plainclothes, who are increasingly refusing to identify themselves by name or the agency they work for. 'The recent federal operations in California have created an environment of profound terror," Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said in a statement. "If we want the public to trust law enforcement, we cannot allow them to behave like secret police in an authoritarian state." A now-widespread protest movement against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement was ignited in Los Angeles in early June, when street protests turned violent. California lawmakers have been among President Donald Trump's most vocal opponents. The bill, co-sponsored by Jesse Arreguin, D-Berkeley, would also require officers be identifiable by their uniform. It would exempt SWAT teams and permit the use of medical-grade masks and those used to protect workers during emergencies like wildfires. 'This bill will ensure that law enforcement are easily identifiable, maintaining that trust and accountability," Arreguin said in a statement. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a June 20 post on the social media site X that ICE agents have experienced "a 500% increase in assaults." She didn't provide the total number of assaults or a time frame for the increase. But videos circulating online have showed increasingly violent confrontations between masked federal agents and civilians seeking to document or prevent arrests. "These are the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to arrest violent criminals and gang members," she said. Local police officers typically wear uniforms with a nameplate and carry a badge. U.S. Border Patrol agents wear an olive green uniform with a name tag and agency patches. FBI agents also typically show a badge when engaging with subjects or civilians. ICE agents, however, are rarely uniformed.