How do some New Mexico schools handle cell phones in the classroom?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – School is back in session but does that mean students are off of their phones? Across the nation, districts are grappling with how to handle smartphones in schools including here in New Mexico.

“Is it going to be used for educational purposes or not?” said Hilario ‘Larry’ Chavez, Superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools.

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SFPS is in the process of revamping its cell phone policy which was last amended in 2013. Right now, phones are allowed in class for educational purposes and during passing periods. However, the school board is now considering new guardrails and consequences for improper smartphone use.

“Trying to provide a better learning environment without disruption and as we all know, cell phones do cause a disruption within the classroom,” said Superintendent Chavez.

In Albuquerque Public Schools, the district bans cell phones during class with limited exceptions. But how it is enforced depends on the schools. Last school year, Cibola High School implemented a policy banning all phones during instructional time but allowing them during passing periods and lunch breaks.

At Rio Rancho Public Schools, phones must be stored away during class.

Over at Hope Christian in Albuquerque, phones cannot be used during the entire school day. “They need to be in your backpack, you’re locker, or in your car,” said Terry Heisey, Head of School at Hope Christian. “We really want to build community, right? We want our students to be able to interact, communicate face-to-face, and hold a conversation with each other.”

Hope Christian has had that policy since 2006 or 2007 when flip phones still ruled. They also have amended the policy to keep up with new smart devices, like Apple watches.

“Right now, we don’t allow Apple watches,” said Heisey. “I think some people think of it as a kind of a way to kind of control the student body but that’s really not it. We really want to take away the distractions.”

He also noted how smart devices like those watches can open up other concerns like cheating. He said staff helps enforce the policy but that they do trust their students to do the right thing and follow it.

“We know students are students, and they’re probably going to be able to find ways to get around things, but we really feel that our community has been blessed by this,” Heisey said.

So, how do smartphones impact students in schools?

According to a June 2024 Pew Research Center survey , 72% of U.S. high school teachers said smartphones are a distraction in class. 45% of teens 13-17 said phones made it easier to do well in school, 23% said phones made it harder, and 30% of teens said smartphones didn’t affect their success in school at all. Studies have linked social media to declining mental health.

“We’re really the most connected society in the world at the current time, but there’s a lot of loneliness, depression, and anxiety…and I personally happen to feel that phones are really linked to that,” said Heisey. “We really feel that it’s built community and we’ve gotten a lot closer to each other as a family. Our students, we feel, are really good at communicating and person-to-person interaction.”

SFPS said it plans to look at what other schools are doing and get input from students, staff, and parents. It hopes to have an amended cell phone policy by the fall. “We know it’s not a one-size-fits-all but at the end of the day we’re going to do what’s best for the learning environment and to create uninterrupted instructional time,” said Superintendent Chavez.

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