KANSAS GOVERNOR SIGNS STATEWIDE BAN ON STUDENT CELLPHONES AND PERSONAL DEVICES DURING SCHOOL HOURS. (PHOTO).

 Kansas governor signs statewide ban on student cellphones and personal devices during school hours

  

 Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed a law banning the use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices for students throughout the entire school day, prompting Kansas City-area school districts to revise their policies. The law, which takes effect this fall, applies to both public and private schools and covers class time, lunch, recess, and passing periods. Students will be prohibited from using phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal communication devices, though exceptions are allowed for individualized education programs (IEPs), 504 plans, and physician-approved medical needs. School-issued devices and virtual learning are not affected.

Kelly described the measure as a “commonsense approach” aimed at reducing distractions and mitigating the impact of smartphones and social media on learning, academic performance, and student mental health. Local districts, including Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, and Olathe, have expressed concerns about the law’s costs and logistical challenges, including how to collect, store, and return devices while enforcing the rules. Shawnee Mission spokesperson Kristin Babcock said the district will comply but warned that the policy could affect instructional time and impose financial burdens. Schools are required to adopt policies and certify them with the Kansas State Board of Education by September 1 to meet the new requirements. The move follows similar efforts in Missouri and more than 20 other states that have tightened rules on student phone use in recent years.