More young scholars can expect to sheathe their screens this school year.
In other words, use of personal smartphones for many students will now be impermissible during instructional portions of their day. And really, that should sound familiar. Most districts and schools throughout the state already have similar mentions within student handbooks and disciplinary guidelines.
But this year is different.
From a statewide pilot program in the works, to individual districts, schools or even classrooms making the call – more Delaware educators are pursuing stricter, physical restrictions on phones during the school day. And some of these procedures will see early tests as the 2024-25 school year kicks off this week .
What should families know?
Delaware says no cellphones in class? Some schools have already jumped in
A pilot program to curb cellphone distractions throughout public schools came as one line item in this year’s supplemental spending plan.
Lawmakers approved $250,000 to test an expansion of "cell-hiding pouches," as previously reported , in Delaware middle and high schools. More details on this are in the works, as the Delaware Department of Education will be responsible for gathering experts, creating a system for this pilot program and evaluating it.
Colonial School District's middle schools already use such pouches, made by Yondr, as they have since 2022 . George Read, McCullough and Gunning Bedford schools marked the company's first partnership in Delaware, continuing the program aiming to keep phones “out of sight." Students can keep the pouches on their person, but only magnetic stations can open them again.
Other schools across the region, and the nation , have instituted various restrictions. This summer, Pennsylvania passed a bill to pilot school cellphone bans. New Jersey is also exploring stricter rules. Some educators use these sealed pouches, while others have used hanging storage organizers on the back of classroom doors.
Back in Delaware, Smyrna schools made its own announcement in July: No more phones.
The district's school board said beginning this September, student cellphones and other personal electronic devices will be placed in "a designated area" during any instructional time. The devices will be made available outside of class, while every student will still have their school devices at all times.
"The Board asks that instructional staff lead by example and refrain from cell phone usage during class time," the board wrote in a statement recently posted. "Parents and guardians, we need your support in helping your child/children understand that being without their phone for a little over an hour at a time has benefits to the learning environment and their overall academic success."
Smyrna said it plans to gather feedback on the coming move, to develop a formal policy on student personal devices. Superintendent Susan Brown said the district will continue to provide the community with updates.
Brandywine High School also joined the fold this summer.
"Students will be required to place their cellphones and related electronic devices in designated pockets at the front of the classroom for entirety of the instructional period," the school wrote to Facebook. "This change is aimed at reducing distractions and promoting better focus in the classroom."
That includes smartphones, related accessories and other personal devices to be placed in "teacher-designated" cellphone organizers , according to the school's new policy. Only the bell for dismissal releases them. Students can use phones during their lunch period, in the hallways between class and when school is not in session.
Otherwise, the “one-to-one” school has Chromebooks issued to each student for educational purposes. Smyrna has similar student technology for instructional times.
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To know what failure to follow those rules looks like at Brandywine High, the school would just have to refer to its typical Brandywine School District Code of Conduct .
First, if a student refused to put a device in the teacher's organizer, an administrator could be called to confiscate the phone. Offense one: The phone will be returned at the end of class. Subsequent offenses: Confiscation will last the rest of the day. Parents would be notified if a phone is confiscated. If the issue turns chronic, according to the district, further disciplinary action may be considered.
At Brandywine, parents are encouraged to contact their school if they need to get in touch with a student during instruction periods.
Similarly, other Delaware districts already have guidelines within student and family handbooks on phones. Enforcement may be another question.
"Cell phones, pagers or other communication devices can be a disruption to the school learning environment. Therefore, possession, use or display of cell phones, pagers and communication devices are banned in school buildings during normal school hours," Indian River School District wrote in 2015 , warning of confiscation if such devices are discovered.
As Red Clay's handbook reads: "Students whose parents require that they have a cellphone or other personal electronic device at school are to keep them off and away at all times during the instructional day. Use of a cell phone at any point during the school day is considered 'unauthorized.' Cell phones must be kept in a clothing pocket, secured bookbag, or locked locker at all times." There are similar repercussions.
These and other rules just lack the pouch, organizer or other physical location to enforce "bans" like those being announced this summer.
Down in Milford School District, another familiar procedure was shared this month.
"During the school day, student cell phones should be off and away," the cellphone procedure reads in short, posted to Facebook Aug. 20 . The use of a "security pouch" for phones would only be utilized in light of "multiple offenses," according to the district.
It looks to reinforce focuses on problem-solving, communication and more in the classroom, and consequences follow its student code of conduct. A first offense brings a written reprimand, second detention and parental contact. From there, there could be parent or guardian meetings and a behavior intervention plan.
Reaction under just Milford School District's post mirrors some of the mixed emotions of parents and the public toward these stricter rules. Some mentioned safety concerns being disconnected from their kids, while others praised the move to limit distractions and increase learning.
For now, schools will start to test out these rules this week.
Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What you should know about school cellphone bans in Delaware as schools start
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