Student Personal Device Use in Schools Review
Stemming from feedback from school administrators and teaching staff and parents, HCPSS recently began the process of evaluating the impacts of student personal devices on the instructional and school environment. This process will include extensive research and stakeholder feedback, and will culminate with a recommendation to the Superintendent and Board of Education on current practices and implementation of the Board policy.
Current Board of Education Policy
The Howard County Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools and Social Media guides personal technology device use in schools.
As it currently stands, HCPSS permits students to bring personal technology devices to school with the following qualifications:
- Elementary Schools
- Students will keep personal technology devices in backpacks during the school day, unless otherwise authorized by school administrators or instructional staff.
- Middle Schools
- Students will not use personal technology devices during non-instructional time, to include but not limited to transition between classes, lunch, recess, or in bathrooms.
- A school administrator may, on occasion, authorize the use of personal technology devices for special events and/or for positive behavioral supports and interventions.
- High Schools
- [Students] may only use personal technology devices during classroom instruction when allowed by instructional staff; and
- May use personal technology devices during non-instructional time (transitions between classes, lunch or special events), unless prohibited by school administrators or instructional staff.
Review Process Timeline
Please note: This is an approximate timeline that will evolve and be updated throughout the process.
Research and Data Collection
Summer & Fall 2024
07/11/2024: Board of Education Report – Cell Phones in Schools Timeline
Stakeholder Engagement
September-December 2024
Survey: Student Personal Technology in Schools, September 2024
This survey is now closed.
HCPSS encouraged all stakeholders to complete a brief online survey to better inform the advisory workgroup and school system leadership considering this topic.
Community Conversation, Oct. 1, 2024
Students, families, staff and community members were invited to attend and participate in a community conversation about student personal technology use in school.
Public Hearing, Oct. 24, 2024
A Board of Education Public Hearing was held, open to any stakeholders who were interested in testifying.
Public Hearing, Dec. 18, 2024
All stakeholders are invited to testify before the Howard County Board of Education at its public hearing on Cell Phone Use in Schools. Registration closes at 4:30 p.m. the last working day prior to the meeting. Pre-registration is available by telephone (410-313-7194 or 410-313-1584) or via online form.
Details on participating in a public hearing are available online.
Approval
January 2025
The Board of Education is scheduled to take action on this issue at its meeting Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Implementation
Winter 2025
Details are forthcoming.
External Resources
Additional resources will be provided as available.
Smartphones vs. Smart Kids, Jonathan Haidt: Video presentation related to the harmful effects of social media and smartphone use by children.
A Mindshift Over Cellphones in Schools, School Administrator Magazine: Features insights from school districts that chose greater restrictions on cell phone use in schools by students, and details considerations for moving to phone-free schools.
Social Media and Youth Mental Health, Surgeon General’s Advisory: Links an increased use of social media and declining mental health of youth, and provides recommendations to reverse the trends.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Cellphones in Schools, Harvard Graduate School of Education: Urges school leaders to consider the pros and cons when implementing policies related to cell phone use in schools.
Should cell phones be allowed in school? Let’s talk about the pros and cons, Care: Explores whether cell phones should be allowed in school, and includes points for both sides.
Do phones belong in schools?, The Harvard Gazette: Explores the balance between cell phone bans to help protect classroom focus with the need to stay connected.
10 Reasons Why Cell Phones Should be Allowed in Schools, Minga: Details several reasons why cell phones should continue to be permitted in schools.
Technology in education: A Tool on Whose Terms?, UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report: Focuses on the possibilities that technology provides for teaching and learning and (pg.83-84) details the ways too much technology use increases the risk of distraction and disengagement.
Want to go back in time? Visit a school where cellphones are banned, The Washington Post: Opinion piece from a reporter who was reluctant to support phone restrictions in schools until she visited schools and read the research.
Brain Hacking, CBS 60 Minutes: Video report featuring a former Google product manager who discusses the intentional addictive construct of social media applications.
Schools See Improved Grades, Engagement Without Smartphones, Government Technology: Explores the advantages after KIPP NYC College Prep restricted smartphone use in schools and raises some challenges that must be overcome to implementing such policies.
Do Cellphone Restriction Policies Work? Teachers Weigh In
Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia K-12 Public Schools, Virginia Department of Education: Guidance to all districts in Virginia, issued Aug. 15, 2024. Final guidelines will be issued on Sept. 16, and all districts and schools in the state must be in compliance by Jan. 1, 2025.