S. 5636 — Supporting Focus in Schools Act

This section defines terms for the Act. It establishes "eligible school" as a title I elementary or secondary school that maintains a personal electronic device policy under section 3(b). It defines "personal electronic device" to include student laptops, tablets, smartphones, and similar items, but excludes school-authorized instructional devices restricted during school hours from social media, personal email, messaging, and other non-academic applications.

This section establishes a competitive grant program under which the Secretary awards grants to schools that maintain a policy prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices during instruction hours, with exceptions for health conditions, disabilities or special needs documented in an IEP or Section 504 plan, and emergencies. Schools may use funds to purchase storage equipment such as phone lockers or pouches or to provide staff training on policy implementation.

This section requires eligible schools receiving grants under the Act to submit a report to the Secretary within one year after receiving funds. The report must detail the effects of grant-funded activities, including any impacts on academic outcomes.