Requiring school districts to prohibit the use of privately owned electronic communication devices during school hours and to prohibit students from using school district computers or devices to access social media platforms.
Impact
The bill's provisions would have a significant impact on state education laws by enforcing a consistent approach to the regulation of electronic device usage in schools. By mandating that all school districts enact similar policies, the bill seeks to reduce distractions and enhance the educational environment. Schools will need to navigate the balance between fostering responsible device use while ensuring that educational integrity is maintained. The potential enforcement of disciplinary actions against students violating these policies is noteworthy and indicates a stricter approach towards managing student behavior in relation to technology.
Summary
House Bill 2186 aims to regulate the use of privately owned electronic communication devices within school districts across Kansas. The bill mandates that each school district's board of education adopt strict policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic devices for communication during school hours, including passing periods and classes. It also allows limited exceptions for device use, such as for students with individualized education programs or for educational purposes as approved by teachers or administrators. These provisions reflect a growing concern about the distractions posed by personal devices in educational settings.
Contention
There may be notable points of contention surrounding this legislation regarding the balance between regulation and students' rights to access technology. Critics might argue that the prohibition could hinder students' ability to use their devices as learning tools or in scenarios where communication is vital. Furthermore, the implementation of strict disciplinary measures could lead to debates about fairness and the potential challenges in enforcement. Proponents, however, would likely argue that the focus is on improving the learning conditions and minimizing disruptions caused by unmanaged technology use.
Prohibiting the state department of education from distributing or expending state foundation aid moneys in fiscal year 2025 to a school district that has no students enrolled in and attending school in such school district in school year 2024-2025.
Requiring each school district to establish an at-risk student accountability plan and to show academic improvement in certain student subgroups and students identified as eligible for at-risk programs, prohibiting the state board of education from revising the curriculum standards in English language arts and mathematics until 75% of all students achieve proficiency and requiring school districts to comply with all state laws and rules and regulations to maintain accreditation.
House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.
Revising school district open enrollment procedures and requirements to prioritize students who are residents of Kansas over students who are residents of another state, providing for continued enrollment of students who attended a school district of nonresidence in school year 2023-2024, authorizing school districts to deem students as not in good standing prior to enrollment and requiring publication of nonresident student transfer policies on the school district website.
Prohibiting the prescribing of drugs intended to cause an abortion using telemedicine and restricting the governor's power during a state of emergency to alter such prohibitions.