Ed-Tech Policy Video

Cellphone Policies in Schools, Explained

By Lauraine Langreo & Kaylee Domzalski — May 21, 2024 2:04
052124 Cell Phones jb BS

Schools and districts are using a wide range of approaches to tackle challenges brought on by students’ cellphones.

Here, Education Week reporter Lauraine Langreo explains the different ways schools are addressing cellphone use, and the factors educators must weigh before adopting or changing the rules.

See Also

A cell phone sits on a student's desk during a 9th grade honors English class at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Md., on Jan. 25, 2024.
A cellphone sits on a student's desk during a 9th grade honors English class at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Md., on Jan. 25, 2024. The policies that districts and schools use to manage the use of cellphones during the school day vary widely.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy 6 Ways Schools Are Managing Students’ Cellphone Use
Lauraine Langreo, April 25, 2024
5 min read
cellphone distraction policy bans in schools static
Laura Baker/Education Week via canva

Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology and learning environments.
Kaylee Domzalski is a video producer for Education Week.

Video

Federal Video Linda McMahon: 5 Things to Know About Trump's Choice for Education Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former pro-wrestling CEO Linda McMahon to lead the education department.
1 min read
Teaching Video Teachers, Try This: Teach Kindness Through Words and Actions
This 4th grade teacher creates lessons and projects around showing kindness.
2:49
Federal Video Trump’s Pledge to Ax the Education Department: Can He Do That?
Trump would need approval from Congress to dismantle the Education Department or change federal education policy.
1 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP
School & District Management Video ‘I’m Not About Making Excuses’: Lessons From the National Principal of the Year
With this targeted approach, the National Principal of the Year improved student test scores in reading and math.