Preliminary research on the Sunshine State’s cell phone ban in public schools indicates mostly positive results.
The study, conducted by the RAND Corporation and the University of Rochester and published by the National Bureau of Economic Research earlier this month, indicates a slight increase in Florida’s test scores, as well as a reduction in unexcused absences.
Florida’s law, a bell-to-bell ban in addition to restrictions on social media use on school-issued devices, took effect in May 2023 and served as a model for legislation that other states implemented. The research covers two academic years.
The findings are encouraging for the 29 other states that restrict cell phones in public schools, as a national survey of teachers and school administrators will conclude in July….