Alabama teachers say back-to-school season is off to its smoothest start in years.

The reason? No more cellphones.

“It’s the best start to a school year I have had in over a decade,” Amy Melissa Hyde commented in response to an AL.com question on Facebook . “Students have even begrudgingly admitted that they are more productive and have less anxiety. It’s been wonderful. Anyone complaining about this hasn’t spent time in a classroom lately.”

Alabama’s new FOCUS Act prohibits most students from using cellphones , smart watches and other electronic communication devices during the school day. State leaders say the goal is to keep students more engaged in class, cut down on behavior problems and promote healthy internet use.

Students will only be able to use devices at school if:

The

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