Poll: Missouri voters support restricting cellphones in school, split on 4-day weeks

Support is high in Missouri for prohibiting high school students from accessing their cellphones during school — especially when class is in session, according to a poll released Thursday.

Saint Louis University and YouGov surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters from Aug. 8-16 on a range of topics. The margin of error overall was 3.79%.

Of those surveyed, 72% supported prohibiting high school students from accessing cellphones during school hours. In the classroom, the support grew to 79%.

"We have not asked about cell phones before so this was the first time," said Ashley Burle, associate director of the SLU/YouGov Poll. "The results were pretty clear that folks think that cellphones should not be in the classroom."

Support for blocking cellphone access in the classroom, presumably while learning is happening, was strong across the board but was slightly higher among men, older respondents, Republicans, and those with less money and education.

Responses by region show support for the restriction was highest in southeast and northeast Missouri, followed by southwest Missouri with 81%. The lowest was the Kansas City area with 69%.

Burle said the poll asked likely voters if they support or oppose prohibiting cellphones just during instructional time or throughout the school day.

"Voters overall were actually supportive of the full-day ban throughout the school day," she said.

Support for prohibiting cellphones during school hours was slightly lower than during class. The only dip was among respondents age 18-29, where it dipped to 45%.

"Young voters were the one group who did not have majority support for a full school day ban," Burle said. She noted support for restricting cellphones during instructional time jumped to 57% among the same demographic group.

Four-day school weeks

For the second time, the SLU/YouGov Poll asked likely voters about the four-day school week, which has grown in popularity in Missouri. It was first asked during a poll in February 2023.

The trend started as a cost-cutting measure and then spread, largely as a way to attract and retain teachers and support staff or remain competitive in a part of the state where other districts were making the switch.

Initially, it started in small or rural districts but has been adopted in larger districts.

Burle said respondents still seem undecided about the four-day school week.

Asked about local public schools making the change, 42% opposed the change, 30% supported it and the rest were unsure.

"We don't see a majority of agreeance so that is something I think that's interesting in both polls," said Burle, noting a similar result in early 2023.

More: Do 4-day school weeks hurt Missouri students academically? Here's what report found

The results were fairly mixed regardless of demographics. A look at regional responses showed opposition was highest in the northeast and northwest parts of the state.

Those opposed to a four-day school week were asked their greatest concern. The top worry was student learning loss at 40% followed by finding childcare, less structure and routine and then length of the school day.

"The biggest thing that they are worried about is loss of learning," Burle said. "... Coming out of the COVID pandemic, we know that learning loss occurred so that is already at the forefront of our mind."

Those supportive of the trend cited increased student engagement as the greatest benefit, followed by recruiting and retaining staff, consistent schedule and then longer weekend.

Missouri recently changed the rules regarding districts adopting a four-day school week. In the poll, 77% supported requiring voters in districts located in cities and counties with at least 30,000 to approve a proposed move to the four-day week.

"This was the first time we've asked specifically about the voting to transition to a four-day school week," Burle said. "Voters were very clear ... that they want to have a say. Period. There was bipartisan support for that."

Other education-related questions

As part of the SLU/YouGov Poll, likely voters are asked to rate the quality of the public schools in their community and those across Missouri.

This year, 42% rated public schools in their community as good or excellent but only 28% believed those across Missouri were in the same categories.

In southwest Missouri, local respondents said 9% of schools were excellent, 39% were good, 36% were fair and 11% were poor. The rest were unsure.

A closer look showed Democrats and Republicans felt similarly about the quality of the schools in their communities. In general, likely voters from both political parties were more skeptical about the quality of schools in the rest of the state.

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The likely voters were also asked about school start times. According to the SLU/YouGov Poll, research indicates high school students need more sleep and later start times could have health, academic and safety benefits.

Asked about high school start times beginning at 8:30 a.m. or later in their district, 58% were supportive, 28% were not and the rest were unsure.

Support for starting at 8:30 a.m. or later was highest among Democrats, Independents, voters age 18-44, and those with higher incomes and more education. A regional look showed support was highest in northeast Missouri and the St. Louis and Kansas City areas.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Poll: Missouri voters support restricting cellphones in school, split on 4-day weeks