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

Student Well-Being Video Teachers, Try This: Use Dance to Boost Engagement and Learning
From physics to math, this dance teacher shows how incorporating movement can increase student engagement and understanding.
Members of eMotion Breakdance bring rehearsal outside during a fire drill at Bellaire High School on Nov. 21, 2024, in Houston.
Members of eMotion Breakdance bring rehearsal outside during a fire drill at Bellaire High School on Nov. 21, 2024, in Houston.
Annie Mulligan for Education Week
Student Well-Being Video Teachers, Try This: Activities to Build Classroom Culture and Connection
This theatre teacher incorporates movement into his lessons to enhance student connection. Here's how other teachers can do the same.
Student James Mason participates in an ice breaker during a film studies class at Weber High School taught by teacher, Mark Daniels, on Jan. 13, 2025 in Pleasant View, Utah. Daniels incorporates a lot of movement with students during all of his classes.
Student James Mason participates in an ice breaker during a film studies class at Weber High School taught by teacher, Mark Daniels, on Jan. 13, 2025 in Pleasant View, Utah. Daniels incorporates a lot of movement with students during all of his classes.
Kim Raff for Education Week
Teaching Video Teachers, Try This: Take Classroom Lessons Into the Wild
This Wisconsin district utilizes its school forest to translate classroom lessons into the outdoors.
Fourth grade students visit The Superior School Forest in Foxboro, Wis., on Oct. 28, 2024.
Fourth grade students visit The Superior School Forest in Foxboro, Wis., on Oct. 28, 2024.
Ackerman + Gruber for Education Week
Student Achievement Video What the Dismal Nation's Report Card Means for Reading and Math
The latest results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress show declines in students’ reading with some modest progress in math.
Point Roberts Elementary School teacher Jessie Hettinga works with a group of first, second and third graders on reading at the school in Point Roberts, Wa., on Sept. 28, 2017.
Point Roberts Elementary School teacher Jessie Hettinga works with a group of first, second and third graders on reading at the school in Point Roberts, Wa., on Sept. 28, 2017.
Philip A. Dwyer/The Bellingham Herald via AP