Oklahoma House Bill HB3913

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

Schools; directing the State Board of Education to establish certain grants to incentivize phone-free spaces; effective date; emergency.

Impact

The implementation of HB3913 stands to affect school policies significantly, as it encourages educational institutions to limit cell phone usage, believing this could lead to greater student focus and engagement in the classroom. Schools that receive grants will be responsible for reporting their evaluations of the pilot program, with particular attention given to both teacher and student perceptions regarding the program's effectiveness. This data could influence broader educational policies and practices concerning technology use in classrooms across the state.

Summary

House Bill 3913 is a legislative act directed at enhancing educational environments within public middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools in Oklahoma. The bill establishes a one-year pilot program aimed at creating 'phone-free' spaces to improve student learning and engagement. It calls for the State Board of Education to establish grant opportunities for selected schools that adopt this initiative. The focus is on utilizing grant funds to purchase devices that help manage cell phone use during school hours effectively.

Contention

While the bill carries potential benefits, it may also raise concerns regarding student rights and the practicality of enforcing such policies. Critics might argue that regulating student phone use infringes on personal freedoms and that it could be challenging to manage emergency scenarios where students need to access their phones. Additionally, there may be apprehensions about the effectiveness of such a program and whether the allocated funds yield the desired outcomes in terms of student engagement and academic performance.