The New Jersey Department of Education has released updated guidance for schools on banning cell phones and other devices during the school day.
Recently signed legislation requires each school district to adopt bell-to-bell policies prohibiting non-academic use of phones and other personal devices in K-12 classes, with certain exceptions. Those policies must be aligned with the education department’s guidance.
Gov. Phil Murphy visited Ramsey High School in Bergen County on Jan. 8 to sign the bipartisan legislation. He first announced his intention to pursue a phone-free policy during his 2025 State of the State address, and highlighted the policy proposal during a visit to Woodbury Junior-Senior High School last February.
Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer said the phone guidelines are designed to help state school boards “develop policies that will foster a positive school climate, improve academic engagement and protect student well-being.”
“These guidelines were developed thoughtfully, with significant stakeholder feedback,” he said, “and are structured specifically to allow for local flexibility based on the needs and capacity of each local school community.”
The state’s guidance provides examples of storage options such as locked pouch systems, school-managed lockers or bins, classroom-based storage or student-managed storage such as backpacks or lockers. While all school districts are required to adopt a day-long policy that complies with state law, they will retain the flexibility to make decisions that best fit their local needs.
The state guidance outlines statutory requirements; policy considerations; and implementation strategies, and it includes developmentally appropriate recommendations across various grade levels. Additional information will be shared as resources become available.
