This is Viewpoints Explained…
Two years ago, school cellphone bans were still something of an experiment. At the time, we reported that at least fifteen states had passed policies that banned phones in classrooms. Since then, this number has more than doubled. As of June, education week reported that thirty-nine states have now adopted the policy. in some schools, phones stay in backpacks. in others, students have to lock their phones in magnetic pouches until the end of the day. For many parents, the big question that lingers is… Are these rules actually working?
A national study released this year looked at schools using lockable phone pouches. Teachers said personal phone use among these students fell from sixty-one percent to just thirteen percent. But less phone use doesn’t automatically mean a more focused classroom. In the first three years of the phone ban, test scores stayed about the same and so did attendance numbers. The first year also brought some friction with disciplinary actions and detentions rates increasing as students adjusted to the ‘no phone’ policy. however, over time, these numbers went down and more students reported feeling better overall.
Looking ahead, experts say that the results are more complicated than “phones out, grades up.” Removing one big distraction doesn’t always make young people more engaged. Two big challenges for schools moving forward are how to improve attention spans and build better, healthier habits around technology in general. Another big focus point is creating an environment where young people are genuinely excited about learning. Back-to-school season always brings change and this is one change that has a lot of support.
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