Virginia governor issues executive order to keep phones out of classrooms
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order Tuesday to eliminate cellphone use in public schools across the state.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order Tuesday to eliminate cellphone use in public schools across the state.
The order directs the state Education Department to come up with guidance to help public schools adopt local policies establishing “cell phone-free education.”
That entails engaging with parents, students, teachers and other community members to develop age-appropriate restrictions during instructional time, according to the executive order, as well as developing protocols that enable parents to contact their children during emergencies.
The state will funnel $500,000 toward the initiative, according to a news release.
“This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” Youngkin said in the release, adding that his directive aims to “protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom.”
Rating: 5