NYC Students Begin First Day Back with Cellphone Ban

Almost one million students in New York City returned to school today, marking the first day under a new policy prohibiting cellphone use throughout the school hours.

This ban, authorized by legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul and approved by the city’s Panel for Education Policy, aims to improve student focus and address declining academic performance. Schools were tasked with developing their own implementation plans, a process expected to take several months to fully establish.

While the policy bans devices during classroom hours, students are permitted to use their phones during commutes, and exceptions are made for medical reasons, such as insulin monitoring or caring for a loved one.

Schools are allowed to use phones for specific educational purposes under teacher supervision, a flexible approach described as “dynamic” by Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. The city allocated $25 million to support the transition, covering device storage and establishing communication channels for emergencies.

Additionally, some classrooms may see smaller sizes this year due to compliance with a state law capping class sizes—20 in early grades, 23 in grades 4–8, and 25 in high school by 2028. The Department of Education plans to hire thousands of teachers to meet these standards, with about 60% of classes expected to conform this year.

Funding per student is also increasing, with projections indicating an expenditure of over $42,000 this year—nearly $2,000 more than last year—covering various costs from transportation to administrative expenses. The city’s total education budget stands at $41.2 billion, accounting for about a third of its overall budget.