Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of ExcelinEd in Action, issued the following statement regarding the signing of Arkansas’ “Bell to Bell, No Cell” Act:
“Arkansas continues to lead the way in prioritizing student success. The “Bell to Bell, No Cell” Act is an essential step forward for education in Arkansas. By eliminating unnecessary distractions, this legislation ensures classrooms become spaces where students can fully engage in their learning and develop important social skills. This bill underscores a commitment to creating optimal learning environments that benefit students, teachers and families across the state.
“Thank you to Gov. Sanders, Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva, Sen. Tyler Dees, Rep. Jon Eubanks and the Arkansas legislature for once again prioritizing students and teachers.”
About the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” Act:
The “Bell to Bell, No Cell” Act (SB 142) requires public schools in Arkansas to establish phone-free learning environments by prohibiting student cell phone use throughout the school day. The goal of the legislation is to reduce classroom distractions, enhance student focus on academics and encourage healthier social interactions among peers.
Exceptions are allowed for medical or emergency purposes; school-issued devices, like tablets, are also exempt.
Last year, Gov. Sanders and the Department of Education established a voluntary pilot program to provide districts with funding to buy phone lockers and pouches to store students’ cell phones during the school day.
The Act takes effect starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
