New policies for rating mobile school cards have given Washington state and four others a failing grade. Washington does not have statewide laws restricting phone use in the classroom and on campus, allowing districts to set their own policies.
The standards, first covered by Axios, measure how much they reduce phone use during the school day. Four states received “A” grades — North Dakota, Kansas, Rhode Island and Indiana — for requiring cell phones to be off-limits throughout the school day, or “bell-to-bell.”
Here’s how some stood out on the Mobile Schools District Report Card:
- The 19 states that receive a “B” have all-day restrictions on phone use, but devices are kept in lockers or backpacks, making them easily accessible.
- Eight districts with “C” grades have laws that limit phone use only during instructional time.
- Nine “D” states require policies, but don’t say what those policies should include.
- Four states have pending legislation and have not received the grade.
In Washington, OSPI reports that 53% of districts in the state have policies that limit smart devices to classroom time only, while 31% require phones to be kept from desk to desk.
At the local level, Seattle Public Schools has yet to issue a statewide policy, although at least three middle schools in the district have banned phones from school, and at least one high school prohibits their use during classes.
The urgency of these policies is supported by recent research. A study published in January from the University of Washington School of Medicine and others found that US teenagers aged 13-18 spend more than one hour a day on phones during school hours, with “addictive” social media apps accounting for the majority of use.
Despite the growing concern, Washington has moved cautiously on the issue. Last month, legislators passed legislation requiring the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to study the issue, issue a report on district policies, review research on the effects of the phone, and gather student input on the regulations. The analysis is due at the end of 2027.
The UW’s Youth Advisory Board, a group of nearly 20 youth from Seattle-area schools, recently published a memo discussing the controversial issue of phones at school. This document weighs the pros and cons of banning calls and offers recommendations on how schools should implement and communicate their policies.
Related:
- ‘Designed to be addictive’: Study finds teenagers spend more than an hour a day on phones at school
- The right call? A year after the school’s phone ban, teachers and parents love it, but kids aren’t so sure
- The kids have spoken: A youth-friendly approach to school phone policies defies adult rules
