As a new school year begins, one of the best ways to support Pennsylvania students and teachers is by making schools phone-free from bell-to-bell. Personal electronic devices serve as significant distractions within the classroom, negatively impacting students' learning and social development. 

Momentum for phone-free school policies is building nationwide. 35 states have adopted more restrictive phone policies, with 17 states + DC implementing bell-to-bell policies, which are considered to be the gold standard with tangible benefits.

Bell-to-Bell Phone-Free Schools Work

Policies that make phones inaccessible all day, not just during instructional time, have been proven to:

• Reduce classroom distractions
• Increase focus & cognitive performance
• Boost grades and test scores
• Improve student mental health and school connectedness
• Protect kids from online harms during the day, such as cyberbullying and online sexual predators
• Free teachers from the burden of being “phone police"

Don't Let PA Fall Behind

• Teachers want this. 83% of educators support bell-to-bell phone-free policies.
• Parents want this. Families see firsthand how phones undermine learning and relationships and support for bell-to-bell is growing.
• Taxpayers want this. Smartphones waste valuable classroom time and taxpayer dollars.
• School Safety Officers want this. National experts confirm that bell-to-bell is the safest model.
• Students need this. Their well-being, safety, and future work prospects are at stake.

We call on the Pennsylvania Legislature to pass a statewide law requiring phone-free schools from bell-to-bell, where smartphones are stored securely and are inaccessible during the entire school day, with exceptions only for medical or IEP/504 accommodations.

We are thrilled that 3 PA senators — one Republican and two Democrats — have introduced legislation that would make Pennsylvania schools phone free, K-12 from bell-to-bell. There is also bi-partisan legislation in the PA house.

This is a common-sense, bipartisan issue. Pennsylvania students deserve classrooms free from distraction, teachers who can focus on teaching, and schools that prioritize safety, mental health, and connection.

Support PA students and teachers and sign this petition to show the PA Legislature that there is broad support for removing smartphones from the learning environment during the school day.