On February 10, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the two bills aimed at improving student focus and reducing cell phone distractions in the classroom.
This legislation will take effect for the 2026-27 school year. It will require all public and charter schools to post what they plan to do with their students’ phone usage.
Spring Lake High School already has its own phone policy in place as of the 2024-2025 school year. This policy, which requires students to keep phones out of classrooms, is expected to align with the state law, and changes are not anticipated.
The new law states that schools have to require students to leave their cell phones in the lockers or lock them in magnetic pouches for the entire school day. Students will not be able to have their phones out during instructional time.
This law, however, does not apply to students who use phones for medical purposes, documented educational use, or in emergencies.
In a media release, the state referred to Governor Whitmer’s 20-year teaching career, where she saw the effects of cell phones on students’ focus and grades firsthand.
Upon Whitmer signing the law, the state cited studies showing that high cell phone use can lead to high rates of depression and anxiety, and it also decreases social skills and attention span.
