Goshen is a Distraction-Free School District
Goshen is a Distraction-Free School District
Students and Personal Electronic Devices
The Board of Education recognizes that students may have personal electronic devices that can perform different functions. Such devices include “internet-enabled devices” defined as: any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet, including social media applications, but do not include any such device supplied by the district for educational purposes. These devices can create significant distraction to the school environment, negatively impact student mental health, contribute to disciplinary infractions, and reduce student engagement. Additionally, in an emergency, the use of personal electronic devices can distract students from following the directions of staff or emergency responders, contribute to the spread of misinformation, create congestion in the emergency response system, and interfere with the district’s emergency response protocols.
Generally, the district is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school.
Communication with Parents/Persons in Parental Relation
Device Access and Storage
As required by Education Law §2803, this policy prohibits student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day (including all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary of a school or district or BOCES facility), unless under an exception (e.g., IEP/Section 504 or as permitted below).
- At the elementary school level, students are discouraged from bringing devices to school. Any device that is brought to school must be silenced and kept in a bag or backpack as soon as the student arrives in the morning.
- At the middle school level, student devices must be silenced and stored in the locker as soon as the student arrives in the morning.
- At the high school level, student devices must be silenced and stored in the locker as soon as the student arrives in the morning.
***Administrators and staff may also restrict use of electronic devices during school events and activities held outside of the school day and/or off school grounds (e.g. field trips, dance)***
Exceptions for Specific Purposes
Use of internet-enabled devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or where required by law. Additionally, the district permits the use of internet-enabled devices in the event of an emergency, and under the following circumstances:
- Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma, medication, etc.);
- For translation services; and/or
- For students who are routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member (on a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor)
Parents may request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed above. Requests must be made to the Building Principal, and for healthcare exceptions, must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional.
Students may also be permitted to use their internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds for specific educational purposes, if the following criteria are met:
- The student has registered the device with the district, in accordance with district procedures, through appropriate, approved documentation provided by a personal care provider.
- With administrative approval, the teacher has authorized the use of specific devices for a particular activity, after which the device must be stowed per this policy.
- The student uses the device to access the Internet or authorized applications through the district’s network, under the terms of policy 4526, Computer Use in Instruction.
Enforcement, Consequences and Reporting
Enforcement of this policy is chiefly the responsibility of building administrative staff; however, all designated employees are expected to assist in enforcement. Students will be reminded of this policy regularly and consistently, especially at the start of the school year and after returning from breaks.
The district will exercise reasonable care to maintain the security of devices that are held by the district, but cannot guarantee the devices will be secure. For students with exceptions under this policy, the district will examine alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the exception, including different storage or access provisions.
Administrators will also discuss the aims of this policy with students and their parents, the benefits of a distraction-free environment, the reasons the student had difficulty following this policy, and how the district can help the student contribute to a distraction-free environment.
The district may not impose suspension from school if the sole grounds for the suspension is that the student accessed an internet-enabled device as prohibited by this policy. However, the district may utilize consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct, including detention, in-school suspension, and exclusion from extracurricular activities.
Some uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the school district Code of Conduct or other district policies, and in some instances, the law. The district will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.
Beginning September 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the district will publish an annual report on its website detailing the enforcement of this policy over the past year, including non-identifiable demographic information of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance with this policy, and an analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of this policy. If a statistically significant disparate enforcement impact is identified, the report will include a plan to mitigate such disparate enforcement.
Policy Distribution and Translation
As required by law, the district will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website. Upon request by a student or parent, the district will translate this policy into any of the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in the state, as identified by the most recent American community survey published by the U.S. Census bureau.
The district will also include this information, or a plain language summary, in student/family handbooks.
Cross-ref: 4526, Computer Use in Instruction ; 4526.1, Internet Safety ; 5300, Code of Conduct
Ref: Education Law §2803
Price v. New York City Board of Education, 51 A.D.3d 277, lv. to appeal denied, 11 N.Y.3d 702 (2008) (District may ban possession of cell phones on school property)
NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State Assessments, www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-and-electronic-devices-new-york-state-assessments
Distraction Free Learning Report
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, New York State requires all school districts to publish an annual report summarizing the enforcement of their Distraction-Free Schools Policy. The report provides an overview of how the policy was implemented during the previous school year, including required data on disciplinary actions related to the unauthorized use of internet-enabled devices and an analysis of any demographic trends.
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The data indicate that the most significant disparities in cell phone referrals are associated with school level. No K-2 Students received referrals, and while a few incidents were from middle school, the vast majority were issues at Goshen High School. No significant disparities were identified based on race, socioeconomic status, or disability status.
2025-26 School Year: Distraction-Free Schools Summary- Next Steps
Overall, the findings support continued reinforcement of clear expectations and consistent implementation of the distraction-free school policy, particularly at the high school level.
Enforcement has been increased in the 26-27 school year based on this data to maintain a positive, distraction-free learning environment. The district will continue to monitor data, address emerging trends, and ensure fair and consistent enforcement while working with counselors, support staff, and families to support students and reinforce expectations.