No Cell Phones; No Problems! Preparation and Consistency are Key Factors to Implementation Success
A new law within Ohio requires that beginning July 1, 2025, all school districts implement a policy restricting cell phone use during the school day. The school cell phone policy is intended to increase student engagement, improve academic outcomes, and reduce safety concerns such as bullying, school violence, and declining youth mental health.
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) announced the move to cell phone free zones in May 2024 as part of a negotiated agreement between the teacher’s union and the school board. This occurred prior to the statewide ban. The Student Wellness Department (SWD) interviewed two CMSD principals from extended year schools to learn about their policy roll-out. With almost four weeks of school under their belts, high school principals Brian Evans and Juliet King shared some valuable insights.
What are the demographics of your high school? What makes your school unique?
Brian Evans: John Adams College and Career Academy is located on Cleveland’s east side and serves 471 scholars in 9th through 12th grades. Curriculum is focused on academic rigor and scholars are offered both advanced placement and college credit plus classes.
Juliet King: Lincoln-West School of Science and Health is located on Cleveland’s west side, just a few blocks from MetroHealth’s main campus. The 9th through 12th grade high school is a partnership with the hospital system and prepares scholars for careers in the healthcare industry.
What has been the response of students, educators, and families to the new cell phone free policy?
Brian Evans: Last year, prior to the implementation of the policy, students began sharing that it was “probably a good idea to help with focus.” Brian described little backlash from students which he credits to clear expectations and consistent execution of the policy. However, some students have pushed boundaries, attempting to circumvent the Yondr pouch functions. Thinking ahead, the team of educators and administrators created a “three strikes” discipline approach, partnering with families prior to engaging in exclusionary practices like suspension. He shared that some parents are “relieved” about the cell phone free policy, and just a few families shared they “weren’t a fan, but understood” the reasoning.
Juliet King: Juliet described the overall response as “successful,” primarily because “we know that everyone is doing this” throughout the state of Ohio. “We are all on the same playing field, which helps make it fair.” Students seem to be responding in stride, as some have even forgotten their phones altogether when leaving for the day. Teachers are responding positively to the policy as student engagement and cooperation appears to be on the rise. While some families have expressed concern about getting in touch with their students, others have been more communicative with school officials.
What successes have you observed? Have there been any hiccups?
Brian Evans: Organization and clarity within the policy have been most successful. The whole school is “on board” with the policy and is aware of the consequences should they, educators or students, breach it. Evans reported that they carefully mapped out their rollout with ninth graders who started early and thereafter with the rest of the student body. Changes were made to the student handbook to increase clarity and ensure everyone was “on the same page.”
Juliet King: “Student anxiety decreases. A lot of their anxiety was coming from social media and how others are responding to them. [Without their phones] they aren’t thinking about it right now.” As far as hiccups, Juliet described a situation where enrollment increased rapidly and Yondr pouches were not available for all students. The school had to rely on past practices of removing cell phones in a way that appeared fair and equitable to students. Additional positive responses of the new policy have been described as “being a great culture builder.” By eliminating cell phones, King observes improved relationships between students and staff as well as between peers. “The cell phone free policy is helping students socialize more effectively.”
Have you identified any areas for improvement?
Brian Evans: Evans notes that “we need to work on educating students and families outside of school” about social media and technology usage. Students need to be informed that they’ll be “held accountable outside of school” for improper social media use as it impacts the school community.
Juliet King: “Our next step is to communicate [school wide] successes with families, and provide them with strategies to implement similar technology restrictions at home.”
What recommendations do you have for other schools implementing similar policies?
Brian Evans: “As soon as we learned [the cell phone free policy] was coming, we started to prepare them [students].” The administrative staff communicated with teachers, families, and students in multiple ways. “You have to be consistent and clear; and you have to have the steps [in place]” to implement the policy successfully.
Juliet King: King enthusiastically states that she “highly recommends a district or school come up with a plan to become a cell phone free zone. It has a very visual impact. In the past, [I] walked into classrooms and everyone had a phone close to them.” Now students are engaged in their learning and forming relationships with teachers and peers. However, the cell phone free policy must be implemented with fidelity. “The moment you let up on something like this, is the moment you lose the ability to be a cell phone free zone.”
For more information on Ohio’s cell phone free legislation, visit the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website.