Cell Phone Policy
California Phone-Free Schools Act (AB 3216)
Background
The increasing prevalence of student smartphone use during the school day has emerged as a pressing issue not only within the Sequoia Union High School District but also across the United States and globally, as educators, researchers, and policymakers grapple with its far-reaching implications on youth development, academic engagement, and social norms. In response to these concerns, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued a letter to school district leaders statewide, urging immediate and thoughtful action to mitigate the harmful effects of student smartphone use in educational settings.
This call to action was reinforced by the passage of Assembly Bill 3216 in August 2024, which amends Section 48901.7 of the California Education Code. The legislation requires all public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to develop and adopt policies, no later than July 1, 2026, that limit or prohibit the use of smartphones by students while on school campuses or under school supervision. Policies must also be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.
Current State of School Practices
Across our district campuses, responses to student smartphone use in classrooms have varied significantly. Individual school sites, administrators, and educators have adopted a range of approaches, some implementing classroom-level restrictions or using phone caddies, while others allow more flexible use. While some campuses have implemented schoolwide guidelines or designated phone-free zones, others have opted to provide teachers with autonomy to manage device use at the classroom level. This highlights the need for a more cohesive and equitable approach to managing smartphone use during the school day.
In preparation for the 2025-2026 school year and the shift to a district-wide policy and practice by July 1, 2026, schools have better aligned practices to limit student smartphone usage during instructional time.
Stakeholder Engagement & Next Steps
To better understand the perceptions and experiences of students, families, and staff, we plan to survey each constituency to understand their respective perceptions of the impact of the devices on student learning, engagement, and safety. We will also engage the Student Board Representatives and other key student leadership groups (like Student Leadership and Equity Councils) and parent organizations to solicit their input. This data will all be compiled and summarized as part of policy development in the early spring semester.
To better understand the perceptions and experiences of students, families, and staff, we plan to survey each constituency to understand their respective perceptions of the impact of the devices on student learning, engagement, and safety. We will also engage the Student Board Representatives and other key student leadership groups (like Student Leadership and Equity Councils) and parent organizations to solicit their input. This data will all be compiled and summarized as part of policy development in the early spring semester.
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Tabs
Anticipated Timeline
- Spring 2025
- SUHSD AB3216 Implementation Plan
- Review with Administrators
- Develop and finalize Parent, Student, and Staff surveys
- Revise School Handbooks with current practices
- Summer 2025
- Prepare communication for the Fall
- Fall 2025
- Communications in staff and community newsletters
- Begin stakeholder engagement and implement surveys
- Review survey data and feedback
- Draft Policy and begin reviewing with stakeholder groups
- Continue/revise current practices with potential pilots
- Winter/Spring 2026
- Present the final Policy draft (BP5131.8) with corresponding site-based implementation plans of Fall 2026
- 1st and 2nd readings
- Board adoption process
- July 1, 2026
- Full implementation deadline
- Ongoing
- Review & refine policy every five years
