Los Angeles Unified to Ban Cellphones in Schools
Los Angeles Unified has offered the first details of what a cellphone-free school day will soon look like as educators attempt to break the digital-device obsession of a generation of students, aiming to get them off their screens and focused on classroom learning.
When does the L.A. ban go in place?
The district has directed schools to enforce the ban beginning Feb. 18, the day after Presidents Day weekend.
What hours will the ban be in effect?
Students could use phones going to and from school, such as when on the bus. But phones would be off limits once the opening bell rings, including lunch or nutrition and other breaks, until the end of the school day.
How will schools restrict phones?
For weeks, teachers, principals, staff and parents at schools met to provide input on the ban, Chait said. High school students also participated. Individual schools are being given several choices for how to keep students off their phones.
- The first and cheapest would require phones to stay in backpacks during the school day.
- Locked storage units — either in classrooms or schoolwide — could house multiple phones.
- Specialized pouches that can be opened only with magnets or closed with Velcro. Students would carry their phone in the sealed pouch all day.
- A “classroom phone holder” that could hang on a wall and have numbered pockets where phones are placed before class begins.
Are only phones banned?
No. The ban also applies to smart watches and other devices that can use WiFi or cellular signals to send text messages or access social media.
What about emergencies?
School board members raised questions about emergencies, as well as discipline for violations. The new state law requires students to have phone access during emergencies.
Are there exceptions to the ban?
Yes. Students could be exempt from the phone policy for a number of reasons, including needing their phones for health reasons, individualized education programs, accommodations due to a disability, and language translation.
What happens if a student violates the ban?
The LAUSD plan outlines that students will receive multiple warnings if they are caught disobeying the rules. The first is a verbal reminder to the student, followed by a “referral to a counselor” and then outreach to a parent or guardian.
How much will it cost?
The total cost will depend on the kinds of storage methods schools choose. The district has allocated roughly $7 million to purchase phone products.
Conclusion
The LAUSD cellphone ban aims to limit distractions and promote a focus on classroom learning. The ban will take effect on February 18 and applies to phones, smart watches, and other devices that can be used to send messages, receive calls, or scroll the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the L.A. ban go into effect?
A: The ban will take effect on February 18, the day after Presidents Day weekend.
Q: What hours will the ban be in effect?
A: The ban will be in effect from the opening bell to the end of the school day, including lunch and breaks.
Q: Are only phones banned?
A: No, the ban also applies to smart watches and other devices that can use WiFi or cellular signals to send text messages or access social media.
Q: What happens if a student violates the ban?
A: Students will receive multiple warnings, including verbal reminders, referrals to a counselor, and outreach to parents or guardians.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: The district has allocated roughly $7 million to purchase phone products, but the total cost will depend on the storage methods chosen by schools.
