MANCHESTER, N.H. — A new survey of New Hampshire teachers shows the state’s ban on cellphones in schools may be causing significant changes in classroom behavior.
Teachers are reporting that students are more focused and seem to be developing better social skills.
New Hampshire’s bell-to-bell school cellphone ban for students delivered immediate results, according to teachers who participated in a survey conducted by the state Department of Education.
The results show that 75% of teachers strongly or somewhat agree that students seem more focused in class since the new law took effect. The survey found that 79% of teachers reported that their schools’ cellphone policy was very or somewhat effective at reducing distractions, and they said there’s more traditional socialization between students.
“From my perspective, it’s kind of brought us back to a time where I was in high school and sitting in those seats,” said Pinkerton Academy math teacher Christa Powers. “Students are now engaging more with each other, more socialization.”
Powers, New Hampshire’s teacher of the year, said she has noticed a difference in student engagement, as well.
“I’m able to have more participation in the content area, and then also, students are more willing to get creative in their thinking and reflect because they’re not worried about trying to get back to that phone after they’ve done their work,” she said.
The survey also found that 42% of administrators reported fewer discipline problems since the ban took effect.
“When we think about fewer distractions, more focus in the classroom, better learning, less discipline and incidents, I mean, it’s all been terrific,” said Gov. Kelly Ayotte.
Ayotte said she’s looking for ways to build on the law’s initial progress.
“This was only the first year of implementation, so we’re going to continue to work with the schools to make sure that they have the support to implement this policy,” she said.
New Hampshire’s largest teachers union is calling for more consistency in how administrators apply the law across the state.
“Just to make sure that the administration is implementing the law consistently across the board or the district or the school, whatever it is,” said Megan Tuttle, president of the NEA-New Hampshire.
