Governor Kim Reynolds has expressed strong support for legislation passed by the Iowa House that aims to limit student access to personal electronic devices during instructional hours. House File 782, which passed earlier this week, seeks to address the growing concern over digital distractions in schools.
In a statement released Tuesday, Governor Reynolds highlighted the negative impact of cell phone use on student learning and classroom productivity.
“Digital distractions are at an all-time high, disrupting focus, learning, and productivity in our classrooms,” she said. “Iowa students deserve to learn free from the disruption of personal electronic devices to fully focus on their education.”
Reynolds emphasized that several Iowa schools have already implemented similar restrictions and have seen “tremendous progress in student behavior and engagement.” She voiced her support for extending those outcomes statewide.
“I look forward to signing this bill, allowing every Iowa student to once again prioritize learning,” she added.
The proposed legislation marks a significant step in Iowa’s ongoing efforts to enhance the educational environment and reduce distractions in schools. Once signed into law, it will enforce stricter guidelines on electronic device use, aiming to create more focused and engaging classrooms across the state.