On Wednesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 782 into law, placing new limits on student cellphone use during instructional time in Iowa schools. The law prohibits student access to cellphones during class hours while allowing exceptions for students with disabilities, English language learners, and those with individual education plans. Reynolds says, “The data tells us Gen Z spends six hours per day on their phones. Seventy-two percent of high school teachers say cell phone distractions are a major problem in the classroom. As many schools around the state who have enacted their own cell phone policies have already seen, these changes will not only improve the learning environment for students, but the social interactions they have with each other and their teachers.” Reynolds points to Hoover High School in Des Moines, where a similar policy led to significant academic and behavioral improvements. The school reported a 14 percent increase in As and Bs, a 50 percent decrease in failure rates, and a 60 percent decrease in out-of-school suspensions. The bill is effective upon enactment.
