New approaches to managing classroom environments are gaining momentum, as evidenced by a recent report from Governor Stein’s Advisory Council for Student Safety & Well-Being. The report highlights the early successes of North Carolina public schools that have adopted policies to eliminate cell phone use during instructional time.
Governor Stein noted the positive changes, stating, “Getting rid of the distraction of cell phones in classrooms prioritizes our students’ well-being and academic achievement and improves their learning environments.” Schools implementing these policies report improved academic outcomes, increased social interactions, and fewer discipline issues.
Accompanying the report is a video report from the Governor’s Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being. This video underscores the benefits experienced by schools that have already implemented the no-cell-phone policies. A new law signed by Governor Stein will require all public schools to create and enforce similar policies by January 2026, aligning North Carolina with 31 other states with similar legislation.
In preparation for the law, the Advisory Council released a resource in June 2025: a Best Practices Guide for North Carolina Public Schools Units (PSUs) Establishing Personal Communication Device Policies. This guide was developed to help schools cultivate learning environments that enhance student success and well-being by minimizing distractions caused by personal devices.
Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, co-chair of the Advisory Council, stressed the urgency felt by educational leaders, “We’ve seen real urgency from school leaders to implement these new policies, even before January when they’re legally required to.” She highlighted that nearly all public school units have already updated their policies in anticipation of the new law, emphasizing that these initiatives aim to create focused and thriving learning environments.
Governor Stein’s establishment of the Advisory Council through Executive Order 13 underpins North Carolina’s dedication to fostering safe and inclusive educational settings. The Council’s mission is to enhance student safety and well-being by proposing and implementing strategic solutions, offering guidance to state agencies, collaborating with local communities, and disseminating best practices.
Co-chairing the Advisory Council alongside Sen. Batch are William Lassiter, Deputy Secretary of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Heather Smith, the 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year from Haywood County. Together, they lead efforts to ensure policies are in place to support optimal student learning and well-being.
Read More Here
