PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Public Schools is outlining its plans for a new district-wide policy that would limit student phone use in schools as early as the start of 2025.
The district's policy committee is refining a draft that would require phones to be turned off at school (unless it's lunchtime or before or after school), prohibit photos and videos at school, and allow school staff to confiscate phones if students are using them during school hours.
If a phone is confiscated, a parent, guardian, caregiver or other designated person would then be required to pick up the phone.
Some schools — Grant High School, Cleveland High School, and Beaumont Middle School — are already taking matters into their own hands by requiring students to use Yondr phone pouches for this upcoming school year.
The concept of a district-wide cell phone policy is widely supported by PPS teachers and staff, according to an internal survey shared in board meeting documents.
Among 239 survey responses from a group made up mostly of PPS teachers, counselors and support staff, 94% said they would like to see a district-wide policy and 98% said they have concerns about how student cell phone use impacts the students' mental or physical health.
Some of the anonymous responses from PPS teachers and staff include:
- "The numbers involving statistically significant declines in youth mental health are unassailable…and when combined with our on-the-ground experiences, a bold and consistent district policy restricting cell access is a MUST."
- "Making this a teacher enforcement issue is not a sustainable way - our kids have an addiction, we need a community response"
- "Instituting a no cell phone policy in my class will only create power struggles that I don't want to engage with"
- "CHS just adopted Yondr for next year. I am certain that we will see an improvement in mental health and academic performance from our students and a decrease in cyber bullying and sexual harassment. It is criminal that PPS has not implemented a strong district wide policy. All of the research indicates that cell phones are addictive and harmful for mental health."
- "This is crucial! We cannot deal with this in a classroom by classroom or even school by school basis. The research is extremely clear: we need phone-free schools now."
On a scale of 1 to 5, about 88% of the survey respondents said their level of concern with student cell phone use is either a 4 or a 5.
The PPS policy committee introduced a "student mental health and learning" resolution at its most recent meeting to outline why it's pursing a district-wide policy.
It says: "Research indicates that cell phone use can impact adolescent mental health and well-being...creating a policy on the use of personal smart devices is critical for students to achieve the outcomes we believe they are capable of."
PPS plans to send out a survey to students for their input. A projected timeline estimates that survey would be shared with students on September 20, with results and other information presented to the board policy committee on October 15.
PPS board member Julia Brim-Edwards previously said the district will review the rollout of Yondr pouches at Grant, Cleveland and Beaumont and incorporate any takeaways into the district-wide policy, a sentiment shared by the draft resolution.
