Purpose of the Law
Research indicates that the presence of personal electronic devices, including those that are internet-connected or have gaming capability, can negatively impact student achievement, attention, and social-emotional development. The McDuffie County Board of Education believes that all students will achieve better academically in a learning environment free from distraction due to the use of personal electronic devices. The McDuffie County Board of Education intends to promote a distraction-free learning environment, which means a learning environment where access to personal electronic devices is restricted to minimize distractions, improve academic outcomes, and increase meaningful interactions and focused learning experiences. Board Policy JCDAF outlines the access and use of personal electronic devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade while on school premises during school hours.
Definitions
The following definitions are quoted from the Guidance to Support the Distraction-Free Education Act, published by the Georgia Department of Education (Fall 2025).
- ‘Access’ means viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, listening to music, or any other function commonly associated with personal electronic devices.
- ‘Bell-to-bell’ means the period beginning with the first bell signaling the start of instructional time and ending with the final bell signaling the conclusion of the school day and shall include all scheduled instructional time, breaks, transitions, assemblies, and other school related activities occurring between the start and end of the school day. During school activities such as trips, athletic events or extracurricular activities, devices may be used in accordance with the appropriate use guidelines in the student code of conduct.
- ‘Distraction-free education’ means a learning environment where access to personal electronic devices is restricted to minimize distractions, improve academic outcomes, and increase meaningful interactions and focused learning experiences.
- ‘Personal electronic device’ means any portable electronic device capable of transmitting, receiving, or accessing communications, data, or media. Such term includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, smartglasses, headphones, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission.
- ‘School day’ means the bell-to-bell period for students receiving instruction on a school campus. Such term shall not apply to students receiving virtual or remote instruction away from school campus.
- ‘School equipment’ means any computer or computer networking equipment, technology or technology-related device or service, or communication system or service that is operated, owned, leased, and made available to students by a local board of education, local school system, or public school and that is used for transmitting, receiving, or accessing communications, data, or media.
Procedures (School Day on School- or System-owned Property)
- In accordance with board policy JCDAF, effective July 1, 2026, no McDuffie County School System K-8 pupil shall be permitted to access personal devices on school- or system-owned property during the school day, except as detailed below:
A student whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly mandates the use of a personal electronic device for medical or educational purposes shall be permitted to access the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the respective program or plan. Such accommodation must be documented in writing within said plan.
- Upon entry to school, personal electronic devices must be powered off and stored in bookbags. The district or individual schools within the district shall not assume any responsibility or liability for the theft, loss, or damage to a personal electronic device.
- During the school day, parents/guardians who need to communicate with their students should contact the school’s main office.
- The school safety plan will be enacted in cases of emergency, with designated school personnel coordinating communication. All emergency communication originating from the school will be through the channels that may include one or more of the following: automated phone messaging system, social media, local radio, and school website.
- Any student found in violation of this policy and/or its procedures during the school day shall be subject to progressive discipline consequences as outlined in the student code of conduct.