RICHMOND, Virginia. – The Virginia Department of Education has released its draft guidelines for cell phone-free instruction in Virginia.

This came after Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, which directed the VDOE to develop guidelines for public school divisions to implement local policies and procedures to implement cell phone-free instruction. The VDOE worked with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the State Health Officer, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop these guidelines.

The draft guidelines took into account suggestions from Virginians to further develop their plan.

“This draft policy is the result of Virginians coming together and saying ‘enough.'” Parents and teachers in Virginia have witnessed firsthand the damage that cell phones in schools have done to the academic, mental, physical health, and social development of our youth. Communities are committed to implementing common sense approaches to restore vibrant and healthy learning environments for all of our children across the state. The Youngkin administration is ready to support public schools, families, and communities as we change the culture around cell phones.”

Minister of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera.

The guidelines define their notion of cellphone-free instruction as “ring to ring,” meaning that cellphones should be turned off and put away from the first ring to the last ring. This also applies during lunch breaks and between classes.

The guidelines also include the following age-appropriate cell phone restrictions in Virginia schools:

• If a parent notices Primary school If a student must bring a cell phone or personal electronic communications device to school, it must be turned off and kept away from the student during the school day and may not be used in the school building or on school grounds before or after school.

• In Middle SchoolStudents should not have a readily accessible cell phone or personal electronic communications device on their person during the school day. School divisions should establish local policies governing the use of cell phones and personal electronic communications devices inside the school building or on school grounds outside of the school day, including before and after school.

• In secondary schoolStudents should not have a cell phone or personal electronic communication device readily accessible during the school day. Outside of class time, cell phones and personal electronic communication devices may be used on a high school campus before or after class.

Students with certain medical needs may also be able to be exempted from the “Belle-to-Bell” policy for medical reasons, as emphasized by school nurses, pediatricians and health officials.

“The extensive feedback we received from the citizens of Virginia was clear and direct, demanding that cell phones and personal electronic communication devices be removed from our children’s public schools at all levels – elementary, middle and high school – during the school day. By refocusing our students’ attention on learning and away from their phones and social media, all of our children will have better opportunities to learn and succeed academically.”

Superintendent of Public Education Lisa Coons

The VDOE also recognizes the importance of ensuring a child’s communication with his or her parents in the event of an emergency, and has therefore required all school divisions to include plans for direct communication with parents and plans for reunification of children and parents in their already required crisis and emergency plans, and to inform and educate students and parents about these plans.

Parents were also concerned about communicating with their child in the event of a family emergency. The draft policy calls on school divisions to develop and share family-based school emergency plans with parents and students, as well as post them on their website.

This guidance is not the final draft. The VDOE is seeking Virginian feedback before issuing the final guidance on September 16. After the final draft is issued, the guidelines will go into effect on January 1.