A group of state lawmakers want to crack down on cellphones in schools.
Reps. Stephanie McClintock, Mari Leavitt and Liz Berry introduced a bill requiring school districts to adopt a policy restricting student cellphone use during instructional time by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
As educators across the state grapple with the issue of cellphones in schools, a growing body of research is shedding light on the potential benefits of limiting phone use during school hours. This research shows such policies could improve students’ mental health by reducing cyberbullying and enhancing academic success by minimizing distractions.
In August, state Superintendent Chris Reykdal asked districts to create a plan to restrict cellphone use in class by the start of the 2025-26 school year. However, OSPI does not have the authority to require districts to implement the plan.
“It is clear it is a problem, (the kids) are addicted, they are rewired,” said Berry, D-Queen Anne. “We need to do something about it.”
Some schools in Washington, Oregon and other parts of the country use neoprene gray bags called Yondr pouches to lock away student phones during the school day. These pouches are part of a new “away for the day” cellphone policy that aims to reduce distractions and improve student focus.
McClintock, R-Vancouver, said the bill is a great way to increase test scores without spending much money. The exception is that school districts could incur costs for developing policies and procedures, soliciting feedback from students, staff, and families, and communicating the new requirements to the community. OSPI’s spokesperson, Katy Payne, said OSPI will also incur costs for developing recommendations and best practices.
Payne noted that OSPI supports the legislation as it is currently written.
The bill would require OSPI to create a summary of policies and procedures adopted by schools in the state and other states to limit student cellphone use by Dec. 15. Payne said OSPI is already planning to conduct a survey this spring.
The bill also tasks OSPI with creating a list of successful strategies, such as limiting phones to designated locations during specific periods or activities, placing phones in the front of the classroom, front office, or in specific containers, and making recommendations for exceptions to the restrictions.
McClintock thinks the flexibility for schools to choose what cellphone policy is best for their students is key.
“I would prefer the more strict policy, but since my bill didn’t pass last session, this second time running it, I wanted to give that flexibility,” McClintock said.
In the last session, McClintock introduced a bill that would have required OSPI to create a two-year pilot program to study the impact of cellphone restrictions on students and ordered schools to adopt policies by the 2027-2028 school year.
McClintock is optimistic that legislators will support the new version of the bill this year.
“I think it has a shot because it’s measured this year. It’s not an outright ban,” said Leavitt, D-University Place.
Many educators support an outright ban on cellphones, but parents are split.
“Parents are begging, ‘Can you please ban cellphones so I’m not the bad guy,’ “ Leavitt said.
McClintock said some parents are worried about contacting their children during an emergency.
“There was a day and age where if you needed to get a hold of your kid, you called the office and they ran a note to your classroom. And we all survived,” McClintock said. “Adults are just as addicted to their phones as kids. I think this might help some parents, too.”