The Connecticut State Board of Education unanimously approved a draft guidance policy that urges public schools to implement regulations that restrict access to smartphones, social media, and other personal technology devices.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker issued a position statement and guidance document on Aug. 21 that provides school districts with drafting and policy implementation guidance to “promote a focused learning environment.”
“All too often, our young people find themselves too distracted by their smartphones and disconnected from the reality of what is happening around them, including while in their classrooms, and it’s having negative impacts on their learning and mental well-being,” said Gov. Lamont.
“The state’s guidance provides a clear framework, but it is up to each school district to shape their own policies that meet the needs of their students and communities,” he continued.
The guidance incorporates specific role appropriate responsibilities, including that:
- Local and regional boards are responsible for stakeholder involvement, age-appropriate regulations, legal compliance, regular updates, digital literacy, and encouraging family support.
- School leaders support educators, address inappropriate use, accommodate individual needs, and integrate digital citizenship.
- Educators develop responsible technology use through lessons, modeling digital habits, and professional learning.
- Families should foster student independence by limiting cell phone use, promoting technology-free spaces, modeling healthy habits, and communicating about responsible technology use.
If adopted, the guidance would prevent cell phones from being used in elementary and middle school classrooms and throughout the “school day.”
Special allowances may be allowed for middle schoolers, with the guidance stating that cell phone possession is “likely to be viewed as a rite of passage into adulthood” so policies must “be developed in consideration of the specific challenges of middle school students.”
High schoolers would be allowed to bring and use cell phones throughout the day – except for in the classroom – with the statement noting that “high school students may be developmentally ready to take more ownership” of frequency of use and understanding technology use responsibilities. “Expectations regarding technology use” should be implemented to prevent cyberbullying and harassment, the statement notes.
“By removing the distraction caused by smartphone use during the school day and fostering a healthy balance with the positive use of technology, we create schools and classrooms that maximize peer-to-peer and student-to-educator interaction, develop social skills in interpersonal communication, and positively impact academic growth and success, all while supporting student mental health” said Russell-Tucker.
