A new state law that restricts student use of wireless communication devices is already having a big impact in Chandler Unified School District only a few weeks into the new school year.
“Probably the biggest sign of success of it, is that we’re seeing a more consistent enforcement of that policy,” said Dr. Michael de la Torre, an assistant superintendent.
CUSD already had restrictions on the use of cellphones and other devices during school hours, de la Torre said. However, since it was up to the teachers to enforce, that could vary from teacher to teacher.
Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year signed HB 2484, which restricts the use of cellphones and other devices in the classroom with exceptions only for emergencies, medical needs or teacher-directed lessons.
De la Torre said now there are clear guidelines for all teachers to follow. So, the first time a student is seen using a device in an unauthorized way, a teacher can take the phone or other device away and give the student a first warning.
The second time the device is used without authorization, it is given to security for the student to pick up later with a designated person. The third time, it is taken by security to the office and can only be retrieved by a parent.
After three times, the student will be disciplined for any future infractions.
“Many of our campuses have already had those practices in place for dealing with it,” de la Torre said.
“We’re really wanting to promote student agency to take care of the problem first, so that’s why we want the teacher to work with the students,” CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci said. “[We want] them to understand that first of all, it’s a law.
“It’s going to be rough at the start, because I don’t know about you guys, but when I don’t have my phone with me, I’m panicking.”
Some teachers have asked for storage containers so they can have students put their phones in them at the start of class. However, the state did not provide any funding to pay for those containers, de la Torre said.
“We have had requests from teachers and staff who want to have those storage devices, and I would say principals are trying to do their best to provide those … for them,” de la Torre said.
The new law also applies to laptops, tablets and smart watches.
Lawmakers said they sensed a need for the law because students were not paying attention, and are often addicted to their devices and spending hours scrolling through social media.
They also cited the harmful effects of social media on youth, pointing to cyberbullying and other issues. A 2022 study by Boston Children’s Digital Wellness Lab found 46% said they felt worse about their body because of social media (21% a lot worse, 25% a little worse).
A 2023 Common Sense Media report from the University of Michigan found most teens check their smartphones a median of 51 times per day. It also found that 97% of students used their smartphones during school hours.
The discussion came up during the Aug. 6 CUSD Governing Board meeting. The Trust, the district’s advisory board for its policies, recommended a change in policy to reflect the new law.
It was one of eight policy changes presented to the board. All were updates being made because of new state laws. In addition to cellphones, another updated mandatory reporting requirements.
That change requires all district employees, including substitute teachers and Governing Board members, to report within three days any concerns they have that a student may be being abused.
And it requires that they report it to a law enforcement agency. It specifically says reporting it only to a school resource officer is not good enough.
They must also report it to the State Board of Education.
Other policy changes are to Title IX complaints; what personal information about students can be shared and parents’ rights to restrict that; Title I federal funding; and open enrollment for special education students.
The board plans to vote to approve them at its Aug. 20 meeting.
