Will cellphone ban improve student engagement and mental health? (Getty Images)

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed two key education bills into law, mandating a statewide cellphone ban during instructional hours and expanding free breakfast for all public school students. The measures, aimed at improving student focus and addressing food insecurity, mark a significant step in the state’s education reforms.
Free breakfast for all public school students
Under the new legislation, every public school student in Arkansas will receive free breakfast, eliminating financial barriers for families and ensuring that children start their school day well-nourished. Governor Sanders emphasized the importance of the program, stating that it would ease the burden on families while enhancing students’ ability to focus in class.
Senator Clarke Tucker, a proponent of the bill, highlighted the impact of food insecurity on education, noting that the legislation would benefit over 425,000 families across the state. Funding for the initiative will come from federal programs, state general revenue, private grants, and taxes from Arkansas’ medical marijuana industry. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, which previously worked on eliminating meal co-pays through Act 656, played a key role in supporting this effort.
‘Bell to bell, no cell’ act targets classroom distractions
The second bill, known as the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, prohibits students from using cell phones during instructional hours to reduce distractions and foster better learning environments. The law builds upon a 2023 pilot program that provided $7 million in funding for schools to purchase secure storage solutions for students’ phones.
Governor Sanders and legislators stressed that excessive screen time and social media usage negatively impact students’ mental health. Senator Tyler Dees, one of the bill’s sponsors, noted that the policy aims to encourage meaningful in-person interactions and create a more engaging classroom experience.