VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach teachers like Jill Kane say the new guidance to keep cell phones out of students' hands during learning time is a step in the right direction.
"The fact that they're looking to create a policy that creates a cell phone-free environment for learning will benefit everybody," Kane said.
The draft guidance defines cell phone-free education in Virginia’s schools as “bell-to-bell," meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first bell at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.
Parents like Ashley Durant and Glen Jenkins want kids to keep their phones due to safety concerns in schools.
"Because of the shootings. If a child needs to reach out to their parents to let them know something's going on in school, they can just pull out their cell phones and then call their parents to let them know what's going on," Durant said.
"I think the kids need them and if they're responsible, I think elementary school also, because it keeps your parents informed of what's going on of activities or if the kid is in trouble," Jenkins said.
The guidance comes after Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33. It's broken down into three levels for elementary, middle, and high schools.
Kane understands the safety concerns but notes similar policies have been in place for years.
“A warning and then take it, then have the parent come to the school and pick it up. That's been, that's been a policy that I've been familiar with for as long as cell phones have been going to schools with students.” Kane said.
After considering feedback on the draft guidance, VDOE will issue final guidance on September 16.