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The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1315

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Title: The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1315
Language: English
Authors: David Figlio, Umut Özek, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Source: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2025.
Availability: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 50
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Smith Richardson Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Research
Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Secondary School Students, Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Suspension, Scores, Attendance, Mass Media Use, Influence of Technology, State Legislation, School Policy
Geographic Terms: Florida
Abstract: Cellphone bans in schools have become a popular policy in recent years in the United States, yet very little is known about their effects on student outcomes. In this study, we try to fill this gap by examining the causal effects of bans on student test scores, suspensions, and absences using detailed student-level data from Florida. Several important findings emerge. First, we show that the enforcement of cellphone bans in schools led to a significant increase in student suspensions in the short-term, especially among Black students, but disciplinary actions began to dissipate after the first year, potentially suggesting a new steady state after an initial adjustment period. Second, we find significant improvements in student test scores in the second year of the ban after that initial adjustment period. Third, the findings suggest that cellphone bans in schools significantly reduce student unexcused absences, an effect that may explain a large fraction of the test score gains. The effects of cellphone bans are more pronounced in middle and high school settings where student smartphone ownership is more common.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED678286
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1315
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+Figlio%22">David Figlio</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Umut+Özek%22">Umut Özek</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Annenberg+Institute+for+School+Reform+at+Brown+University%22">Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University</searchLink>
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  Data: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Handheld+Devices%22">Handheld Devices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Telecommunications%22">Telecommunications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Suspension%22">Suspension</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attendance%22">Attendance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mass+Media+Use%22">Mass Media Use</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Influence+of+Technology%22">Influence of Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Legislation%22">State Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Policy%22">School Policy</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Florida%22">Florida</searchLink>
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  Data: Cellphone bans in schools have become a popular policy in recent years in the United States, yet very little is known about their effects on student outcomes. In this study, we try to fill this gap by examining the causal effects of bans on student test scores, suspensions, and absences using detailed student-level data from Florida. Several important findings emerge. First, we show that the enforcement of cellphone bans in schools led to a significant increase in student suspensions in the short-term, especially among Black students, but disciplinary actions began to dissipate after the first year, potentially suggesting a new steady state after an initial adjustment period. Second, we find significant improvements in student test scores in the second year of the ban after that initial adjustment period. Third, the findings suggest that cellphone bans in schools significantly reduce student unexcused absences, an effect that may explain a large fraction of the test score gains. The effects of cellphone bans are more pronounced in middle and high school settings where student smartphone ownership is more common.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: ED678286
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED678286
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 50
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Handheld Devices
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      – SubjectFull: Telecommunications
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      – SubjectFull: Suspension
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      – SubjectFull: Scores
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      – SubjectFull: Attendance
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      – SubjectFull: Mass Media Use
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      – SubjectFull: Influence of Technology
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      – SubjectFull: State Legislation
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      – SubjectFull: School Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Florida
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      – TitleFull: The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1315
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