New School Policy to Curb Classroom Distractions
The upcoming school year will see significant changes in Barrow County classrooms as a new state policy aims to minimize distractions and enhance focus among students.
In a recent announcement, the Barrow County School System outlined its plans to enforce a statewide policy that will restrict students from using their personal electronic devices during school hours. This applies to all students from kindergarten through eighth grade starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.
This move follows the signing of the Distraction Free Education Act by Governor Brian Kemp in May, a legislative effort designed to foster a distraction-free learning environment.
Dr. James Bowen, the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services, explained that students found with devices will face a series of escalating disciplinary actions. “And that doesn’t mean progressive as in a new way of thinking about consequences,” Bowen emphasized. “It means progressive, as in each consequence is worse than the one before.”
One concern among parents is maintaining communication with their children during emergencies. Addressing this, Bowen assured, “There’ll be ways to communicate with our children. They just won’t be able to text them in the middle of class.”
