Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will face new rules on cellphone use during the school day, beginning Monday, May 4.
SEATTLE — Students in the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) district will face new cellphone restrictions beginning Monday.
“It’s important for our teachers so that they can teach and not have those distractions that the kids are on their cellphone. [There is] no time like the present,” SPS Superintendent Ben Shuldiner told KING 5. “It’s something we probably should have done years ago.”
Shuldiner is implementing the plan just three months into his tenure.
The plan does not require approval from the school board because it is a change in procedure, not policy.
All students from kindergarten through 12th grade are included in the new guidance. For students in kindergarten through eighth grade, cellphones must be turned off and stored away for the entire school day. Students will not have access to their phones during classes, in passing periods or during lunch.
For high schoolers, phones must be turned off and stored away during classes. Students will have “limited” access to their phones during lunch and passing periods.
“Kids are going to be engaged, they’re going talk to each other, they’re going to listen to the teacher more, they’ll be able to focus on their academics,” said Shuldiner.
Exceptions apply to students who require their cellphones for medical needs or other accommodations. Shuldiner said phones could also be accessed during emergencies.
District officials said the decision was made after taking input from teachers, students and parents.
Shuldiner admitted some students expressed concerns about losing the ability to use phones as a legitimate academic tool.
“Is it possible that it could be used as an education device? Sure, but so are the laptops in the classroom, right?” he told KING 5.
SPS officials said the district developed guidelines for the ban after a review of cellphone practices in all grade levels, an analysis of cellphone policies in other Washington and national school districts, and an observation at five Seattle pilot schools.
The goal of the restrictions, SPS said, is to “create learning environments where students can fully engage, academically and socially.”
Family members can reach their students during the day by contacting the school office.
SPS said it will be up to school leaders to manage how cellphones are stored while upholding the districtwide standard.
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