Distraction-Free Schools Policy Enforcement Report
Reporting Year: 2025/2026
District/BOCES: Sullivan BOCES
Date Published: August 31, 2026
Policy Overview
Our policy aims to ensure students remain focused on their academic responsibilities throughout the school day, including all instructional and non-instructional periods such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time.
Link to the Student Use of Personal Technology Policy
Enforcement Summary
|
Measure |
Number |
|---|---|
|
Total Student Enrollment |
1067 |
|
Students Receiving at Least One Violation |
26 |
|
Total Violations Recorded |
31 |
|
Verbal Warnings /Administrative Conference with Student |
21 |
|
Device Confiscations |
5 |
|
Parent Notifications |
5 |
|
Detentions |
0 |
|
Other Disciplinary Actions |
9 |
Demographic Analysis
Provide non-identifiable demographic information regarding students who faced disciplinary action for noncompliance with the policy.
|
Demographic Group |
Enrollment |
Students Disciplined |
Difference |
|
Female |
40% |
69% |
29% |
|
Male |
60% |
31% |
-29% |
|
Students with Disabilities |
32% |
19% |
-13% |
|
Economically Disadvantaged |
52% |
58% |
-13% |
|
English Language Learners |
7% |
0% |
-7% |
|
White |
44% |
42% |
-2% |
|
Black/African American |
9% |
4% |
-5% |
|
Hispanic/Latino |
41% |
50% |
9% |
|
Asian |
0.7% |
0% |
-1% |
|
Multiracial |
5% |
4% |
-1% |
|
Other |
0.5% |
0% |
0% |
Findings and Interpretation
During the 2025–2026 reporting year, Sullivan BOCES enrolled 1,067 students, with 26 students receiving at least one violation of the Distraction-Free Schools Policy, representing approximately 2.4% of the total student population. A total of 31 violations were recorded. The majority of responses were low-level interventions, including verbal warnings or administrative conferences with students (21), with five device confiscations, five parent notifications, no detentions, and nine other disciplinary actions, including referrals to counselors and use of ALC.
The demographic data indicate some differences between the overall student population and the students receiving disciplinary action. Female students represented 40% of enrollment but 69% of students disciplined, while male students represented 60% of enrollment and 31% of students disciplined. Students with disabilities represented 32% of enrollment and 19% of students disciplined.
Racial and ethnic data also show some variation. Hispanic/Latino students represented 41% of enrollment and 50% of students disciplined. The remaining demographic groups represented relatively small proportions of the overall enrollment and had either no students or very few students receiving disciplinary action.
The differences observed in the data will be monitored; however, the small number of students receiving violations limits the ability to draw conclusions about enforcement patterns based solely on the percentages. Differences may also be influenced by factors such as the distribution of students across programs, differences in program schedules and instructional settings, student age or grade level, and the frequency or circumstances in which electronic devices are used.
Sullivan BOCES will continue to monitor enforcement data by student subgroup and review implementation practices to ensure that the policy is applied consistently and equitably. Administrative staff will continue to emphasize consistent expectations, documentation, and progressive responses to violations. The BOCES will also review demographic trends annually and use the findings to identify whether additional staff guidance, communication, or adjustments to implementation practices are warranted.
Statistical Significance Determination
Was a statistically significant disparate impact identified?
☐ Yes ✔No