POLICIES
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidance mandates that cell phones and electronic devices must remain off and stored away throughout the instructional day (from bell to bell). This instructional period begins when students enter their first class or study block and concludes when they leave their final class of the day. “Stored” is specifically defined in the state guidance as keeping the cell phone or personal electronic device off the student’s person, meaning it should not be in pockets or worn on the body.
On July 9, 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to bring cell phone-free education to Virginia schools. This directive came from the understanding that cell phones have contributed to student disengagement and negative mental health effects on children.
Governor Youngkin directed coordination between the VDOE and the Secretary of Education alongside the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, State Health Commissioner, the Department of Health, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to help parents, teachers, and students better understand the effects of cell phone and social media usage on children.
On September 16, 2024, the VDOE issued its final guidance for all school divisions to implement by January 1, 2025. This guidance requires all divisions in Virginia to align their cell phone/communication device policies to ensure schools provide a cell phone-free education.