Rhode Island Schools End Academic Year Amid Cellphone Ban

News Summary

As Rhode Island public schools wrap up their academic year, they face new legislation banning cellphones during school hours. The Rhode Island House has approved the law aimed at reducing distractions and addressing cyberbullying among middle schoolers. Additionally, new attendance policies seek to tackle chronic absenteeism, linking attendance with academic performance. With school years ending on different dates across districts, the convergence of these legislative changes underscores the state’s commitment to improving educational conditions.

Providence, Rhode Island – As the academic year draws to a close, most public schools across Rhode Island are preparing for their final days of instruction, while simultaneously gearing up for new legislation banning cellphones during school hours. The Rhode Island Department of Education mandates that public schools provide a minimum of 180 days of education each year, leading to flexible scheduling that accommodates for snow days and closures.

The last day of school varies by district. For example, Barrington Public Schools and Bristol-Warren Regional School District will conclude the year on June 18, while Coventry Public Schools wrapped up on June 12, and the Providence Public School District will remain in session until June 23. Other districts such as Cranston, Johnston, and East Providence have set their last days for June 17 and 16 respectively, highlighting the diversity in scheduling across the state.

In addition to the school year ending, significant changes are underway regarding cellphone usage in Rhode Island schools. The Rhode Island House has unanimously approved legislation to implement a ban on cellphones and personal electronic devices during school hours, a measure that was also passed by the Rhode Island Senate. This law mandates that school districts develop their cellphone policies by August 1, 2026. The legislation aims to alleviate distractions in the classroom and encourage greater face-to-face social interactions among students.

Concerns over cyberbullying, particularly among middle school students, have spurred this legislative action. Recent reports from the Rhode Island Student Survey indicate that approximately 20% of middle schoolers have experienced cyberbullying, emphasizing the necessity for effective policies to mitigate this issue. Exceptions will be made for students with medical needs or disabilities, as well as in emergency situations, to ensure that the legislation accommodates all students.

Schools providing students with Chromebooks will maintain access to technology essential for educational purposes, allowing educators to integrate technology into the classroom while limiting distractions associated with personal devices. Major teachers’ unions in Rhode Island have expressed support for the legislation, citing difficulties in enforcing existing cellphone policies. Reports from educators suggest that the implementation of cellphone bans has led to improved classroom environments and enhanced student interactions, signaling a potential move towards more effective engagement in educational settings.

Moreover, the Rhode Island Department of Education has also begun to address chronic absenteeism with a new attendance policy that may hold back students who miss excessive school days. Chronic absenteeism has been a notable issue in Rhode Island, significantly affecting student achievement. Data shows that students who are chronically absent score an average of 20 percentage points lower than their consistently attending peers. While chronic absenteeism scores have decreased by 10% since the peak of the pandemic, concerns remain about the underlying factors leading to high absence rates, such as underfunded schools and a lack of adequate resources.

The new attendance policy aims to establish criteria that link academic performance with attendance, emphasizing the importance of consistent school participation for student success. As Rhode Island’s public schools approach the end of the academic year, the convergence of the cellphone ban legislation and enhanced attendance policies reflect a broader commitment to improving educational conditions in the state.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Providence Journal: Last Day of School in RI
• Boston Globe: Rhode Island Cellphone Ban
• What’s Up Newp: Middletown High School Graduation
• Turn to 10: New Attendance Policy in RI
• Rhode Island Current: Ethnic Studies in RI High Schools
• Wikipedia: Education in Rhode Island