Legislature backs two education resolutions on student wellness, phone policies and AI

Two related resolutions — 126‑38 and 127‑38 — were discussed and placed into the third‑reading file after broad floor support.

Resolution 126‑38 asks the Guam Education Board to reassess and update school policies to improve student mental wellness, address substance use (including vaping and fentanyl risks), counter bullying and cyberbullying, and to adopt more consistent, school‑wide cell‑phone policies. The sponsor cited local data during her presentation: testimony referenced Guam’s higher suicide rates and elevated youth substance‑use indicators. Supporters pointed to evidence that stricter phone policies have correlated with improved classroom outcomes in some schools.

Resolution 127‑38 addresses three interrelated priorities: expanding supports for pregnant and parenting students (dual‑generation models, childcare, parenting curriculum), developing policies for responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence in schools (definitions, data privacy, educator training), and reducing social promotion through early identification and targeted interventions. Debate referenced Guam Department of Education testimony, University of Guam support, and the creation of task forces and subcommittees to guide implementation.

Both resolutions drew bipartisan support on the floor. Senators emphasized the need for coordinated multisector approaches — involving public health, education, and community partners — and added cosponsors before placing the measures into the third‑reading files. Floor discussion included calls for consistent implementation by the Guam Department of Education and to monitor outcomes such as disciplinary incidents and learning measures.