2025 Distraction-Free Schools: Guidance on Funding

Pursuant to New York State Education Law §2803, all public schools must implement distraction-free school policies that prohibit students' use of internet-enabled devices during the school day on school grounds. To support this requirement, funds have been allocated under Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2025. More information on the statutory requirement.

All school districts, BOCES, and charter schools with secondary enrollment will receive funding based on the number of students in grades 7 through 12 (including ungraded secondary), enrolled during the 2023–24 school year.

Eligibility and Allocations

  • Eligible Entities: All public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES serving students in grades 7–12.
  • Allocation Amount: $10.90 per secondary student in the 2023-24 school year. Secondary students are those most likely to have a personal internet-enabled devices and 2023-24 is the last year for which final enrollment data is available.
  • Notification: Award letters were sent to all eligible awardees. The full award list is available on the State Aid website(Excel File 46 KB).

Allowable Uses of Funds

Funds must be used exclusively to support the implementation of distraction-free school policies and may be used for the following approved purposes:

    1. Device Storage
    • Lockable pouches
    • Lockers
    • Centralized secure storage
    • Other secure storage (must be described and justified)
      • Note: Backpacks are not an allowable storage solution.
    2. Policy Development
    • Drafting a distraction-free school policy that complies with Education Law §2803
    • Stakeholder consultation
    3. Staff Professional Development
    • Training staff on policy implementation and enforcement
    4. Family and Student Outreach
    • Communicating policy to families and students
    • Translating materials into non-English languages
    5. Student Education
    • Teaching responsible device use aligned with the new policy
    6. Other Implementation Costs
    • Must be explained and documented clearly in final reporting

Submission Requirements

To receive funds, two actions must be completed via the SED Monitoring and Vendor Performance System no later than August 1, 2025:

1. Submit Policy URL
Submit a link to your publicly posted distraction-free school policy.
Form title: Cell Phone Plan

2. Submit Funding Attestation
Check boxes for planned utilization of funds on approved uses.
Form title: Cell Phone Use of Funds Attestation

Deadline: Both submissions must be completed by August 1, 2025.
Together, both forms should take no longer than 10 minutes.
Submission is complete upon form submission—no approval needed.

Payment Timeline

Payment will be issued from the New York State Treasury on or before Friday, August 29, 2025, for all entities that have submitted both forms by the deadline.

  • SED Monitoring/Submission Questions:
    studentsupportservices@nysed.gov
  • Payment Questions for Districts and BOCES:
    OMSSAMS@nysed.gov or (518) 474-2977
  • Payment Questions for Charter Schools:
    FMContractPaymentInvoices@nysed.gov

    • Reporting on the ST-3

    Please report these revenues in Other State Aid (A3289) on Line 108 of Schedule A3 of the ST-3 while including a description in the respective Specify Box. Please also record any expenditures using these funds with the expenditure codes consistent with their use – there is no need to directly specify what these funds were spent on within the ST-3 with a new expenditure code or Specify Box.

    Accessing the SED Monitoring Portal

    1. Visit: SED Business Portal
    2. Log in using your SED account
    3. Select “SED Monitoring and Vendor Performance System”
    4. Navigate to the Dashboard and select the two surveys to complete:
        5. 1. “Cell Phone Plan” to submit the policy link
        2. “Cell Phone Use of Funds Attestation” to submit the attestation

    If you don’t see the SED Monitoring and Vendor Performance System after logging in, your CEO (or their delegated users) may need to entitle your account. Refer to the SEDDAS User Guide or SEDDAS Resources for instructions

    portal login Select the SED Monitoring and Vendor Performance System application.

    portal monitor

    Select the “Dashboard” and complete the surveys in your inbox.

    Once forms are submitted, the requirement is satisfied. Awardees do not need to wait for approval.
    Last Updated: July 24, 2025