WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in introducing the REFOCUS DODEA Act, legislation aimed at restoring focus in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) classrooms by prohibiting the use of smartphones during the school day.
The Restoring Our Educational Focus on Children of U.S. Servicemembers at DODEA (REFOCUS DODEA) Act directs the Secretary of Defense and the Director of DoDEA to implement regulations within 30 days to ensure that smartphones are not used by students during instructional hours. The bill requires that phones be stored in secure lockers, pouches, or containers throughout the school day, while providing exceptions for emergencies and medical use.
“At school students should be able to focus, learn, and build real relationships, and we cannot shy away from taking bold action to support that goal, including banning cell phones in the classroom,” said Slotkin. “This bill does just that in Department of Defense run schools and is a straightforward step backed by research, educators, and parents.”
“Cell phones in the classroom distract from learning and lead to all kinds of issues for students,” said Banks. “My bill with Senator Slotkin will get them out of our schools on military bases.”
Full bill text can be found here.
Background:
The Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) operates K-12 schools on military bases, serving over 65,000 children of service members in the U.S. and abroad.
Research shows that cell phone use in classrooms harms academic performance, focus, and mental health. In response, 76% of public schools now ban cell phones during class.
###