Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

December 18, 2025

Addressing Cell Phone Usage in Schools

I want to thank leaders at the Penn Franklin for its coverage of a proposal to ban cell phone usage in schools throughout Pennsylvania. In speaking with educators and parents, the issue is pressing and therefore driving significant discussion in the General Assembly.

As a matter of fact, just days prior to the Penn Franklin’s article circulation, Pittsburgh Public Schools updated its policy from allowing individual schools to create their own policies to a broader prohibition of using personal electronic devices on district property, including school buses, during the school day.

In schools across America, restriction measures are being implemented for such devices. As of this month, 35 states plus Washington, D.C., have enacted laws or policies restricting student cell phone use in K-12 schools. Florida pioneered the first initiative in 2023, followed by Virginia, New York, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arizona, citing benefits to focus, mental health, and social interaction.

Early results are promising. Schools report fewer disruptions, higher engagement, and even drops in discipline issues and failure rates. In Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Area School District, which voluntarily adopted lockable pouches, discipline referrals fell 20-25% and course failures plunged 37%. Teachers, long frustrated by constant notifications and sneaky scrolling, overwhelmingly support these changes. In one poll, 72% of high school teachers call phone distractions a major problem.

Critics worry about emergencies, though most policies allow exceptions and alternative parent contact methods. Other arguments include overreach on local control, and whether bans eliminate opportunities to teach responsible tech use. Some parents fear losing direct contact with their children, while others argue phones can aid learning when used properly.

Currently, the state has no statewide mandate and rules vary widely by district. However, about 425 of 500 districts have some policy, often driven by local concerns over distraction and cyberbullying.

In the Senate Education Committee, Senate Bill 1014 recently won unanimous approval. It proposes to require schools to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the use of phones during the school day. Because it applies to the entire school day, it is often referred to as the “bell to bell” plan. Similar plans exist in the House but have yet to see movement.

Exceptions are part of the proposal for matters like medical needs, individualized education plans, English learners using translation apps and limited teacher-approved instructional use. The Pennsylvania State Education Association (teachers’ union) endorses it, highlighting harm to learning and well-being. The bill now awaits a full Senate vote, and it would then be eligible for consideration in the House, before reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

Opposition comes from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, which argues it erodes local decision-making.

I want to hear more from you on the topic and what policy would be best. Should the cell phone prohibition apply only to periods of instruction or the entire day? Perhaps you believe that determination is better made by local school districts or even within schools by educators. Or could the answer be to allow devices to be accessible but remain on silent mode, so they do not cause disruption?

If you have an opinion on the topic, please consider sharing it with me through an online survey available on my website, RepJillCooper.com. 

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

High School Seniors are Eligible for a America250PA Scholarship – An application window is open for one of 25 $10,000 scholarships available to Pennsylvania high school seniors who will be attending a Pennsylvania college or university. Recipients will be selected based on a demonstrated understanding of civic values as the nation marks 250 years of American independence.

The scholarships are available through America250PA’s Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program. America250PA is Pennsylvania’s official commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. It highlights how the Commonwealth helped shape American history and creates opportunities for residents to take part in this historic milestone.

More information can be found at america250pa.org. The deadline is January 31, 2026.

Celebrate Agriculture at 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show - The Pennsylvania Farm Show – the country’s largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof – kicks off Saturday, Jan. 10, in Harrisburg. The show will run through Saturday, Jan. 17.

This year’s theme is “Growing a Nation,” a nod to the Commonwealth’s role – and Pennsylvania agriculture’s role – in building our country as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in 2026. 

The 2026 Farm Show will feature fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, delicious Farm Show Food Court, thousands of competitive agricultural events, homegrown celebrity cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection, and more than 1 million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who are growing Pennsylvania and our nation through agriculture.

Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided. 

For all the latest news about the Farm Show, follow it on Facebook at facebook.com/PAFarmShow or on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture section at pa.gov.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper