According to Albany, early survey results suggest New York’s new distraction-free schools law is already improving classroom environments across the state. The Governor’s Office collected more than 350 responses in November from school administrators who implemented bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions required under the law.
According to the survey, 92 percent of responding administrators said the transition to a phone-free school day went smoothly. Many described minimal student pushback and noted that clear communication from the state helped ease the rollout.
A principal in Central New York said the process was “seamless,” adding that the school had “zero issues with students trying to use their phones.” In the Finger Lakes, another principal praised the combination of a statewide mandate with local flexibility in how to store devices and handle violations. Administrators in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region also reported strong community support and smoother implementation than expected.
Schools also reported improvements in student behavior and engagement. Eighty-three percent of respondents said classroom environments have become more positive since phones were removed from the school day.
Administrators described noticeable changes: Students talking with one another more often, increased eye contact, and greater participation in activities during lunch and recess. A Southern Tier assistant superintendent called the policy “a game changer,” citing clear improvements in student engagement. In the North Country, one district administrator said students are rediscovering problem-solving games and face-to-face interaction.
Schools reported academic benefits as well. Seventy-five percent of respondents said the policy has helped improve teaching effectiveness. Some noted that students are producing deeper responses to literature and are more focused on reading rather than looking for shortcuts online. Administrators in several regions said they’ve seen improvements in attentiveness and interpersonal skills.
Governor Hochul said the results show the value of the statewide policy.
“Our kids are finding greater success in the classroom when they’re focused on learning, not scrolling,” she said in a statement. “These survey results illustrate the effectiveness of our tailored approach to phone-free schools and offer a glimpse of the success to come for our students.”
It is important to note that the state did not identify any of the schools by name they received feedback from in their release to New York news agencies, including Finger Lakes Daily News.
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