Ring the bell, not the phone: Lawmakers push for focused classrooms

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) -- A new piece of Missouri legislation, Senate Bill 68, is sparking conversations about the role of technology in classrooms.

The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), proses a statewide policy that would restrict the use of personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, during the entire school day.

This bell-to-bell ban would encompass class time, lunch breaks and passing periods. Exceptions are outlined for emergencies, health-related needs and instructional purposes when authorized by a teacher.

The ban does allow individual school districts the flexibility to determine how the rule is to be implemented, choosing methods like phones in lockers, locking devices in magnetic pouches or stricter timeframes for phone access.

News-Press NOW will update this story.