Last summer, OSPI released a brief encouraging school districts to amend or adopt local policies restricting the use of smart devices at school, particularly during instructional time (except for devices being used as an instructional tool). This spring, as part of OSPI’s annual survey of district educational technology directors, districts provided information about their policies on cell phone/smart device use at school.
With 294 districts reporting, the survey showed the vast majority (75%) of districts will have a policy in place that governs the use of smart devices by the start of the school year. Of those, 53% of districts require devices to be put away during instructional time only, while 31% require them to be put away for the entire school day.
In addition, 56% of the policies require all schools within the district to follow the same policy. And, in districts that have already adopted policies, 61% of districts reported that their community has been satisfied with the policy.
Over the last two years, OSPI has continued to respond to requests for information and data related to student use of smart devices in schools. Student access to smart devices continues to climb, and the research continues to highlight the effects of that access on student learning and mental health.
National Cell Phone Policy Survey
Researchers with Phones in Focus are seeking responses from classified staff, teachers and principals. The survey is confidential and takes five minutes to complete: https://www.phonesinfocus.org/
The goal of this effort is to provide evidence-based recommendations for smart device policies in U.S. schools that support academic learning, healthy social relationships, and emotional well-being.
The survey asks educators in-depth questions about their district or school’s smart device policy. With participation from educators across the state, the researchers will provide detailed recommendations on how districts can leverage their local policies for the best academic outcomes. They will also use the information provided to identify and highlight Washington schools where smart device policies are working best.