Ensuring Productivity in the Classroom

With the 2024-25 school year now in session, schools in Indiana have another tool created by the General Assembly to help Hoosier students pay better attention in the classroom.

Following the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 185, each Indiana school must implement a cellular device policy that limits their use during instructional time, though there are some exceptions.

Teachers can still authorize students to use their devices for educational purposes as they see fit.

Students are also always permitted to use their devices if:

• There is an emergency;
• They require it for health care purposes;
• They have an individualized education program that permits it; or
• They have an individualized plan to support students with disabilities that permits it.

Each school corporation and charter school can work out the specifics of this policy and allow students to use their devices during lunch, recess or other non-instructional time, if they so choose.

It is very important to ensure students are using their time in the classroom efficiently and productively. Cellular devices can be one of, if not the most, distracting things for anyone, especially our youth who are supposed to be learning fundamental skills.

To learn more about this law, click here.