Here’s an important back-to-school reminder for the New Year:
South Carolina school districts will begin enforcing the state’s new cellphone ban in public schools starting in January. The change effectively turns K-12 schools into phone-free zones for students during the instructional day, with certain exceptions. It also applies to other “personal electronic devices,” such as tablets, smart watches, and gaming devices.
Lawmakers included the ban in the state’s budget passed earlier this year, requiring local districts to prohibit phone access during school hours to retain state funding. However, the change was not immediate. The State Department of Education gave districts through the rest of the year to implement a local policy of their choice, so long as it meets the criteria set by the State Board of Education.
In practice, the level of strictness and enforcement will vary by district.
Greenville County Schools will only require phones to be placed in silent mode, not powered off, according to the Post and Courier, and it will allow high school students to use them between classes for academic purposes. In contrast, high school students in Chester County will not be permitted to use them during the school day.
Schools will impose graduated consequences for phone violations, with students potentially facing suspension after repeated offenses. Students could also be recommended for expulsion after a fifth offense in the Lexington One school district, the Post and Courier explains.
Policies must include exceptions for students with disabilities who depend on these devices for learning. Students with IEPs, Medical Plans, or 504 plans may use them for medical or educational purposes, under the State Board’s policy.
While districts can completely forbid phones on school property, most will only require students to keep them in their backpacks or lockers. This approach helps ensure that phones are accessible in case of an emergency, something many parents have expressed concern about.
We encourage districts to take regular feedback from the community and refine their policies as needed. This ongoing dialogue will help ensure that the policies balance safety, productive learning, and the needs of students and families.