Washington could be the next state to impose cellphone restrictions in schools

Washington could be the next state to impose cellphone restrictions in schools

The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has asked Washington schools to change their cellphone policies.

Author: Carleen Johnson | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – As more and more school districts across the country decide to ban cellphones in the classroom, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has issued a call to Washington schools to overhaul their cellphone policies.

Superintendent Chris Reykdal, who is running for re-election, issued new guidelines this week to encourage school districts to implement policies that limit cellphone use during classes, starting in the 2025-26 school year.

As The Center Square previously reported, several states, including Arizona, California and Montana, are taking steps to restrict student cellphone use.

Reykdal’s opponent in the superintendent campaign is David Olson, a longtime member of the Peninsula School Board in Gig Harbor who introduced restrictions on student cellphone use more than a year ago.

Peninsula was the first large district in Washington to implement restrictions on student cellphone use.

“I don’t think Reykdal can afford to ignore this,” Olson told The Center Square. “I think he’s doing it reflexively because he has no choice, because it resonates with voters who really like these policies.”

When Olson’s district first considered implementing cellphone restrictions, some parents expressed concerns about whether they would be able to contact their children in an emergency.

“Our students can keep them in their backpacks, on but muted, and they can’t have them outside during class,” Olson explained. “We also block social media, so even when they’re on their school-issued devices, they can’t use social media.”

Olson said test scores have improved and the district hasn’t had as many student discipline problems since the policy change.

“I got an email a few days ago from a parent who sent a message to the school board and told me that her child had improved a lot emotionally and socially because of it and that she was extremely grateful for that,” he said.

OSPI guidelines suggest that schools work closely with their communities to develop policies that meet local needs while ensuring consistency across the board. The initiative also emphasizes the need for educational exceptions and accommodations for students with disabilities, consistent with their Individual Education Programs.

“Our challenge to school principals to review their mobile phone policies is part of a broader strategy to support the mental health of our students and prepare them for success in our digital world,” added Reykdal.

Olson said his district is still working on student discipline issues, which have become an increasing problem since the pandemic but have improved since cellphone restrictions went into effect.

“I’ve met some former teachers who left the profession because they couldn’t get their students off their phones,” Olson said. “But it’s getting better.”