Will test scores rise if phones aren't in schools? Ankeny considering a districtwide ban

The Ankeny Community School District wants to push its student test scores higher, while improving student wellness and helping teachers do their jobs, and thinks banning phones in schools may help.

Officials are seeking parent, student and community feedback as they ponder whether to prohibit cellphones during instructional hours. Phones would need to be turned off and out of reach during the school day, according to the proposed changes.

Ankeny officials — who are striving for 90% of students to be proficient in English, math and science within the next few years — say students are less engaged in the classroom with nonstop social media access on their phones, which makes it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn.

"I think initially, like we often do as educators, we think, 'OK, there's a new tool, and we need to teach kids how to use it appropriately. What are the right times and not the right times to use it? How can we integrate technology in the classroom more effectively?'" said Ankeny School Board President Katie Claeys, who has taught in Des Moines-area schools and now serves as the director of teaching and learning in Ballard. "I think it was done with the best of intentions.

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"But I think as more and more has become available on the phone, I think it's perhaps crossed that bridge to being a real distraction, instead of the support we initially hoped for."

It might be time for a "reset," Claeys said, as phones may have become more of a hindrance than a support in school.

The process is in early stages, and no final decisions have been made. Officials expect to make adjustments to the proposal in response to community feedback ahead of a school board vote in mid-September.

Any changes would take effect in late October.

The process to receive community input includes a survey and speakers at future school board meetings. The district also encourages families to reach out to school board members directly.

The survey includes students, who would be directly impacted by new phone restrictions. Though more than 800 students already have responded to the survey this summer, the district wants to make sure they have a chance to weigh in after the school year starts in August.

The two student school board representatives also will provide insight.

With the proposed changes, officials say, the district is focused on ensuring that academics are rigorous, that students are prepared for their plans after high school and that they have a supportive place to learn and flourish.

Ankeny already has good academic outcomes, Superintendent Erick Pruitt said, but the district wants to be great. According to district testing data, in the 2023-24 school year, the student proficiency rate in English and language arts was 85%; in math, 81%; and in science, 73%.

"We just want our kids to be able to succeed academically, socially, emotionally. We want our teachers and administrators to have the time and the space to be able to support that learning, rather than policing a phone," Claeys said. "We just feel like this is a good first step for us to try to do this. It's not going to fix everything by any means, but it's a good first step."

Phone use could be prohibited in Ankeny schools during the school day

The proposed new cellphone use policy would prohibit use of wireless communication devices during school hours, which would include class, study hall, recess, lunch and passing periods. The policy would cover more devices than just phones, such as smartwatches or wireless earbuds.

Students could have their devices at school, but they would need to be turned off and put away during school hours, unless directed to use a device by a staff member.

They would not be prohibited on the bus or at sports practice, after-school clubs or music concerts. And the rules would not apply for a student who needs a device for a documented accessibility or health reason, such as monitoring diabetes or using a translation service.

Ankeny officials say they are hearing positive feedback about the proposed changes.

"I would say there's a great groundswell of support around helping our students navigate the challenges of having cellphones and how can we, as adults, better help them navigate the challenges that exist," Claeys said.

She said it's been cathartic for parents to come together and talk about the struggles of helping their children manage cellphone use, and she feels a tremendous amount of support.

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But Pruitt acknowledges parents have major concerns about their ability to contact students during potential emergencies, particularly a school shooting. He said that top concern makes the process to gather feedback important.

Another concern is parents' desire to contact students during the day about doctor's appointments, school pickups and other matters.

Ankeny school phone use policy would also address AI

The district also will consider student use of artificial intelligence, or AI.

The proposed policy would prohibit students from using devices to generate photorealistic images with AI, which can be used to create graphic sexual images of other students without their consent, while on district property or away from district property for school-related purposes. Ankeny also will consider how students can navigate AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in ways that would complement what they're learning in school.

Additionally, the district is thinking about its strategy around Chromebook laptops for students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the district pushed to ensure every student had a Chromebook laptop, starting in kindergarten.

But the district is now rethinking its strategy on how the laptops are used in the classroom, including limiting use for elementary students as they learn to read and write.

Will other schools in the Des Moines metro restrict phone use?

Hoover High School in Des Moines has announced that phones will be banned from class in the upcoming school year.

Bergman Academy, a private school in Des Moines, announced that it too will ban phones and tablets, KCCI reported. Other districts might have policies or handbook rules that restrict use depending on the school or situation.

But Ankeny would be ahead of the curve in the metro with a blanket policy across all schools.

Ankeny school district officials say they welcome feedback about the cellphone policy. The school board policy committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Neveln building, 406 S.W. School St., to discuss the proposed changes. The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Aug. 5 in the same building.

Information about how to contact school board members and district officials is on the district website .

Chris Higgins covers the eastern and northern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_ .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Will test scores rise if phones aren't in schools? Ankeny considering a districtwide ban