D.C. schools are banning cellphones, joining almost half of the nation

Data: Axios research and KFF; Map: Axios VisualsD.C.'s public schools will enforce a cell phone ban starting next school year, the district said on Friday.Why it matters: D.C. joins nearly half the country in the bipartisan push to limit students' cellphone use in the classroom. D.C. middle schools and several of its high schools already implemented the ban, the district said.Catch up quick: Phone bans have gained momentum across Democratic and Republican state legislatures in recent years.Arizona, Arkansas and New York's governors signed bills into law this year to implement bans.By the numbers: As of April, 11 statewide phone bans or restrictions were implemented and seven states issued policy recommendations, according to health nonprofit KFF.An additional 17 states introduced legislation to ban or restrict cellphone use in schools. State of play: The phone bans are aimed at boosting students' attention during class as they struggle to recover from COVID learning loss.Screen time is also partially at fault for a youth mental health crisis, research has found. What they're saying: "Piloting a phone-free program in our middle schools demonstrated that storing students' personal devices throughout the school day enriches academic, social, and emotional learning," Lewis Ferebee, D.C. schools chancellor, said in a statement."From increased classroom engagement to reduced anxiety and stronger student relationships — DCPS is ready to scale the program so we can keep driving outcomes that positively impact our students."About half of the city's public school students will be affected by the ban. The policy does not apply to the other half, who attend charter schools.What we're watching: Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced a bipartisan bill in February to study the effects of cellphones in schools, but the legislation has not seen movement since. The bill proposes $5 million annually for five years for a pilot program to provide schools with secure containers for the phones.It would allow exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities and non-English speakers.Go deeper: School cellphone bans keep bipartisan momentumEditor's note: This story was updated with additional context.

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