As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide
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Heading into a new school year, more than two-thirds of Washington school districts say they'll have policies in place limiting student cellphone use — although in Seattle, the rules will continue to be decided school by school.
Why it matters: Many school leaders argue that cellphone use is hurting students' academic performance, with teachers reporting the devices have become major distractions in classrooms.
What they're saying: "Our educators, parents, and families are seeing, on a daily basis, how students' learning is disrupted — repeatedly — by their smart devices," Washington state superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a news release last month.
- "As an education system, we have a responsibility to protect the learning environment."
Zoom in: Seattle Public Schools told Axios Seattle it hasn't implemented a new districtwide cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year, which begins Wednesday.
- "At this time, individual schools continue to manage their own cellphone policies based on the needs of their communities and educational environments," the district said in an emailed statement.
- In past years, that's meant some Seattle schools have required students to put their phones in magnetically sealed pouches until the school day is over.
- Others have banned cellphone use during class time, but allowed students to use phones during passing periods or lunch.
Zoom out: Reykdal recommended a year ago that districts adopt their own cellphone policies — and a new survey by his office finds most districts have done so.
By the numbers: Over 70% of the 294 Washington districts surveyed said they "currently have a cellphone policy in place," according to the survey results.
- Of the 210 districts with policies, 53% said they require student phones to be put away during instructional time.
- 31% said they require students to put their phones away for the entire school day.
The big picture: Nationwide, nearly three dozen states have adopted policies restricting student cellphone use or requiring districts to come up with phone policies, AP reports.
- Washington is not among them, after a statewide bill to address classroom cellphone use failed to pass the Legislature this year.
What's next: Seattle Public Schools said it will continue to gather community input on potential cellphone policy changes throughout the fall.