Las Cruces Bulletin: New state law banning cell phones improves learning
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LAS CRUCES — A recent state law that banned cell phones in the classroom and some at New America School-Las Cruces say they are already seeing positive results.
The law, the Anti-Distraction Policy in the Schools, sponsored by state Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, was a bipartisan bill aimed to enable school districts and teachers to have more control over banning cell phones in the schools. The law passed in the 2025 legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed it last spring.
One teacher, Nathan Paz, who teaches Egnlish Language Arts at New America School-Las Cruces, said he’s noticed a difference.
“Students are more attentive. Which is good. Some students are very fidgety. They need to occupy their hands. Some have separation anxiety from their phones. It’s hard for them to sit still,” Paz said.
Roberta Stathis, who is on the governing council of the school and has taught there, said that, in her experience, one of the most difficult things about teaching was the presence of electronic media in the classroom.
“They were just tethered. It’s a constant distraction,” Stathis told the Bulletin.