What Cellphone Restrictions Look Like at San Jose Schools

San Jose schools are limiting cellphone use during classes in an effort to steer students away from the ongoing stress of screen time toward better academic performance and wellness.

In response to students distracted from learning by social media, texts and notifications, local schools are stepping up cellphone policies. This follows State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond calling for school districts to join a statewide effort to restrict students’ cellphone use, citing evidence of harm to their mental health and negative impacts on learning.

Renata Sanchez, president of the San Jose Teachers Association, said these concerns are valid.

“Running a safe and efficient learning environment requires the teacher to have agency in their behavior management systems, including their classroom cellphone policy,” Sanchez told San Jose Spotlight. “We believe that any cellphone policy should honor the teacher’s preferences as the classroom leader and include teachers in the decision-making process.”

San Jose Unified School District allows schools to create their own cellphone policies. Some teachers at Lincoln High School are having students place their cellphones in caddies.

A survey of Campbell Union High School District staff this year showed cellphones are an ongoing challenge. District policy requires student’s cellphones to be off or silenced and put away during class unless a student has a doctor’s note on file.

Students who violate the policy will receive a verbal warning the first time, a communication sent home the second time. On the third offense, the phone will be held in the office until after school and parents will be contacted. After a second confiscation, a student receives a disciplinary referral. A third results in a meeting with parents and a student behavioral contract.

“Our updated cellphone policy was informed by research and developed in response to staff concerns, and reflects our commitment to minimizing distractions and enhancing the quality of instruction,” CUHSD Superintendent Robert Bravo told San Jose Spotlight. “By focusing on what’s within our control, we aim to create a more effective learning environment for all students.”

A 2023 Pew Research Center survey of 1,453 U.S. teens found nearly half are online almost constantly. About 72% said they often or sometimes feel peaceful when they don’t have their smartphone, but 44% said they feel anxious without it.

Glenn Vander Zee, superintendent of East Side Union High School District, said cellphones can be useful tools but are otherwise distracting.

“Cellphones are only allowed to be used when specifically instructed to do so by a teacher,” Vander Zee told San Jose Spotlight. “ESUHSD is also proactively engaging our elementary school district partners to develop policies that are consistent for students and families.”

James Lick High School established cellphone guidelines in January, and every classroom has a central location where all cellphones can be kept.

“We all agreed… we’re going to have a clear, consistent policy,” Teacher Michael Gatenby told San Jose Spotlight. “Every teacher on this campus is trying to get cellphone use under control. You can already see an increased focus. Managing cellphones has been a game changer.”

Gatenby said he still confiscates student cellphones and puts them in his “phone hotel” once or twice a period. Students receive their phones back after class.

James Lick High School teacher Mark Adams said not all teachers agree a cellphone policy is needed. Some want students to be able to manage their own phones.

Joshua, a student who asked to only be identified by first name, said the guidelines might help some students, but not everyone needs them.

“I can control myself,” he told San Jose Spotlight. “For others, it might be a problem.”

Adams said some students argue for the need to have their phones to call their parents if they experience anxiety or want to track a health app. Others said not having it out helps them focus.

“No teacher wants to spend a good part of their class time monitoring cellphones,” Adams told San Jose Spotlight. “It’s frustrating as a teacher. Students give me 60% when they’re on their phones. That extra 40% that can make a lot of difference.”

Published via Bay City News.