The legislature is still tinkering with the governor’s plan to require that Iowa school districts adopt policies that restrict students from using smart phones when they’re in classes. Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican from Aurelia, says the bill is designed to give a nudge to Iowa public schools that haven’t developed a smart phone policy yet.
Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, notes the bill doesn’t prohibit cell phones during class, but calls for restrictions. The House approved a bill on the topic last week. Monday, senators added a requirement that Iowa’s Education Department provide model cell phone guidelines to schools by May 1st.
The policies must be in place on July 1st. Governor Reynolds also had recommended sixth, seventh and eighth grade students have social media training in school, but that’s been removed from the bill.
