Massachusetts Is Paying School Districts $1 Million to Go Completely Cell Phone-Free

Massachusetts is providing grants to local school districts to help them transition to cell phone-free classrooms.

I kid you not.

Springfield's WWLP-TV 22 reported, "The grant program is funded as part of a $4.5 million state initiative for Student Support and Wellbeing Systems focused on creating safe learning environments."

$1 Million State Grant Program to Limit Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

The Commonwealth has opened applications for $1 million in competitive Cell Phone-Free Schools grants to "help Massachusetts schools limit student mobile device use during the school day."

The station reported, "School districts can use the funding to establish cell phone policies, train school staff, and purchase implementation equipment such as phone storage pouches and charging stations."

Massachusetts Spending Millions To Silence Student Cellphones

'Bell-to-Bell' Policies and Phone Storage Equipment Funded

Attorney General Andrea Campbell said the grant program funds the implementation of "Bell-to-Bell" cell phone policies in Massachusetts schools.

"This grant opportunity is designed to provide resources necessary to create phone-free environments during both instructional and unstructured times during the school days," according to Campbell's website.

The website provides a Toolkit for School Leaders and Communities.

Legislative Movement and Local School Policies in New Bedford

As Massachusetts considers legislation to regulate cell phone use in public schools, many local communities, including New Bedford, have already adopted cell phone policies.

Conferees are attempting to reach a compromise agreement on versions of school cell phone regulations approved by the House and Senate.

Strong Parental Support vs. Emergency Access Concerns

According to a University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB poll last fall, parents strongly support cell phone restrictions in school, with 75 percent either strongly or somewhat in support of restrictions.

Advocates of cell phone restrictions say phones disrupt the classroom. Opponents say students need access to their phones in an emergency.