The city of Washington, D.C. would ban smartphones in the District of Columbia public schools under a new bill introduced in the D.C. Council last week. With English and math test scores sagging, lawmakers hope removing access to personal devices will improve testing outcomes, according to Axios D.C.
If passed, the new law would prohibit students from using cell phones, gaming devices and smart watches during the school day. It would apply to public and charter schools, some of which have already taken steps to restrict or ban smartphones.
The phone-free proposal is also meant to help students socialize more between classes, instead of scrolling on screens, “which is an equally important part of human development at a young age,” Council member Brooke Pinto, who introduced the legislation, tells Axios.
Last year, only about one in three D.C. students met or exceeded expectations in English language arts and literacy, Pinto noted. About 30 percent of students hit the same mark in math. Standardized test scores saw a slight improvement last year from 2023, but are still far below pre-pandemic levels, according to Pinto.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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