COLUMBIA, Mo. – As Missouri schools gear up for the 2025-2026 school year, a new law banning student cell phone use during the school day is set to take effect—though not all students will be required to follow it.
“There’s going to be a learning curve with both parents and students as far as what the rules are, what the exceptions are, and then what the consequences are,” said Susan Goldammer, chief labor, law and policy officer at the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA).
The MSBA has issued policy guidance to help districts implement the new law, which applies to a broad range of personal electronic devices—not just phones.
Parkway Schools in St. Louis County are preparing for a significant behavioral shift. “We know that many of our students are on their phone constantly and frequently,” said Dr. Kevin Beckner, an assistant superintendent. “So breaking those habits is really going to become a new pattern of behavior.” The district’s message to students: “off and away, all day.”
In North Kansas City, the state’s second-largest district, students are being told that devices like earbuds and smartwatches will also be banned.
Springfield Public Schools, the largest district in Missouri, released a statement emphasizing that students should focus on learning, not screen time. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all personal electronic devices must be powered off and out of sight from arrival to dismissal, regardless of grade level.
However, exemptions are allowed for emergencies, health conditions, and disabilities. “There are some very legitimate reasons some students need to have a cell phone,” Goldammer said. “For example, we have children with blood sugar monitors that read directly to their cell phones.”
Thanks to these concerns, the law includes provisions to accommodate students with medical or special needs.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply