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Minnesota senators hear evidence for limiting classroom cell phone use; SF 508 laid over
Summary
Lawmakers and educators told the Senate Education Policy Committee that restricting student phone use can reduce distractions, cyberbullying and classroom conflicts; testimony and district data shaped debate on Senate File 508, which the committee laid over for further consideration.
Senator Mann presented Senate File 508 on Monday, telling the Senate Education Policy Committee she and staff held roundtables across Minnesota to study school cell-phone policies and their effects. The bill would restrict cell-phone use for grades K–8 and limit in-classroom use for grades 9–12 while leaving enforcement details to local school districts and providing funding for education and digital‑literacy efforts.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Mann, said districts reported problems including students taking unauthorized photos of tests, sharing intimate images without consent and widespread classroom distraction. “Students are having a difficult time concentrating, difficult time participating, and the constant notifications going off distract the entire class,” Mann said during her opening remarks.
Why it matters: Several superintendents, principals and associations told the committee they had seen measurable…
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