“To amend title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program under a new part G of Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), authorizing the Secretary of Education to award grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) that certify implementation of a statewide policy prohibiting student possession or use of personal electronic devices (i.e., mobile phones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, and similar devices with communication, internet, or multimedia capabilities, excluding certain school-authorized, instruction-only laptops or tablets) in public schools during school hours. The policy must be developed with local educational agencies (LEAs), educators, parents, and students; allow specified exceptions for health conditions, disabilities documented in an individualized education program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a Section 504 plan, English learners with demonstrated instructional needs, and others as determined by the SEA; and permit LEAs and schools to enact stricter rules. (Thus, grants fund secure storage for such devices; allocations to eligible SEAs follow the Title I-A formula with a 0.5% small-state minimum and reallotment of unused funds; SEAs must also certify allowing school-parent communications on time-sensitive matters.)