News Summary
Memphis Shelby County Schools will discuss a new policy restricting personal wireless communication devices during school hours. This comes in response to a Tennessee law mandating public school districts to implement similar restrictions. Under the new policy starting in the 2025-26 school year, students must turn off devices and store them out of sight during instructional times. Violations may lead to confiscation and increased consequences. Parents have been informed, and exceptions will be made for educational necessities and emergencies.
MEMPHIS โ Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) will convene on Tuesday to deliberate a new policy that prohibits students from possessing and using personal wireless communication devices during school hours. This meeting comes as a direct response to a recently enacted law by Tennessee lawmakers aimed at curtailing the use of cell phones, laptops, smart watches, and similar devices within educational settings.
The legislation, referred to as HB 0932, mandates that all public school districts in Tennessee introduce policies that restrict the usage of wireless communication devices during instructional times. Under the new law, MSCS has indicated that students must turn off their devices and store them in designated areas out of sight during school hours, beginning with the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
Designated storage solutions for devices may include:
- School-provided secured pouches
- Students’ purses or backpacks
- Lockers or vehicles
In cases where students utilize their devices during the school day, those devices are subject to confiscation. The consequences for students caught using their devices will escalate with repeated violations, underscoring the seriousness of adherence to the new policy.
MSCS has proactively communicated these policy changes to parents through automated messaging, ensuring that families are informed ahead of the meeting. The Memphis Shelby County Schools Board is responsible for finalizing a district-wide policy, which all schools must follow once adopted.
Previous discussions surrounding the implementation strategies for the new policy took place during a board meeting on July 22. Although the law aims to create a conducive educational environment by minimizing distractions, certain exceptions are in place. For instance, teachers may authorize device usage under specific circumstances, and provisions also exist for students with health needs or for those whose requirements are mentioned in their Individualized Education Program, active 504 plan, or Individual Learning Plan. Additional allowances are extended for students with disabilities and emergencies requiring communication with parents.
This legislative effort aligns with a broader initiative to reduce distractions in the classroom and combat issues like internet bullying, as emphasized by proponents of the bill. Support for the law has been bipartisan, signifying a widespread acknowledgment among lawmakers of the pressing need for restrictions on wireless communication devices during school hours.
With the proposed policy, MSCS joins fellow Tennessee school districts in strategizing around the enforcement of this new law. As schools statewide prepare for the lawโs implementation, it is critical for students, parents, and educators to understand the full scope of the policy, including the rationale behind it and the measures established to facilitate compliance.
As the meeting approaches, stakeholders await further details and a concrete plan that reflects both the needs of students and the vision for educational excellence free from the distractions that personal devices can present. The anticipated policy will require diligent compliance from students, while also recognizing the unique circumstances that may necessitate exceptions to the ban on electronic devices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WREG: Memphis Schools to Discuss Cell Phone Ban Policy
- Wikipedia: Cell Phone Usage in Schools
- Tennessean: Cell Phones Banned in Tennessee Classrooms
- Google Search: Cell Phone Ban in Schools
- Fox 13 Memphis: MSCS to Discuss Possible Ban on Smart Devices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cell Phone
- Tennessee Lookout: Tennessee House Requires School Districts to Prohibit Cell Phones
- Google News: Cell Phone Policy Tennessee
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
