Long Beach Unified School District’s new cell phone policy went into effect for all grade levels Monday after a “soft launch” last semester at one high school that had an opportunity to see the plan in action.
At Millikan High School, where the new rules were already in place, one teacher described the change in student focus as the difference between night and day. AP English teacher Lee Underwood started enforcing the cell phone crackdown, starting each morning by making sure students put away their phones before class begins as classic music plays in the background.
“I’ve seen a difference this year,” Underwood said. “The level of writing has improved. The level of thinking has improved. Their willingness to take risks in writing has improved.”
The policy was adopted last September and applies to all grade levels.
Elementary school students cannot have phone out at all during the school day.
Middle school students must keep devices in their backpacks.
High school students can use phones only during non-instructional time, like lunch or passing periods, but not during class.
Principal Stacy Alexander said the goal is to reclaim students’ attention in the classroom and limit distractions. Districts throughout the state have adopted similar rules, Alexander said.
“They’ve had some pretty staggering results, truly reclaiming student attention, watching kids return to the period of time where they’re just students learning in class,” Alexander said.
The district said exceptions can be made on a case-by-case bases for things like emergencies or academic needs. Long Beach Unified School District leaders said they will continue evaluating the policy’s impact on students and how they are learning.