Governor Proposes School Cellphone Ban by 2027

Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document ↗

• ✓
  Governor Bob Ferguson announced a proposal to ban smartphones and smartwatches in all Washington state K-12 public schools during school hours“Governor Ferguson’s proposed “Away for the Day” policy will remove smart devices, including smartphones and smart watches, from the first to last bell in K-12 public schools in Washington state.”
• ✓
  The proposal will be effective September 2027“Proposal will require personal smart devices to be “Away for the Day” in K-12 public schools in Washington state by Sept. 2027”
• ✓
  The policy, called 'Away for the Day,' would require devices to be turned off or stored away from students from the first to last bell“Governor Ferguson’s proposed “Away for the Day” policy will remove smart devices, including smartphones and smart watches, from the first to last bell in K-12 public schools in Washington state.”
• ✓
  Pasco High School, which already prohibits cellphone use during instructional time, served as the backdrop for the announcement“PASCO — Today Governor Bob Ferguson held an event in Pasco to discuss a top legislative priority for the upcoming session: Banning cellphones in schools statewide during school hours.Governor Ferguson was joined by school district leaders, students and teachers at Pasco High School to talk about his proposal. Pasco High School currently does not allow student cell phone use during instructional time.”
• ✓
  Governor Ferguson cited data showing 97% of teenagers with smartphones use them during school“In the United States, 95% of teenagers have smartphones – and 97% of these teenagers use them during school.”
• ✓
  The data shows teenagers with smartphones average a quarter of their school day on devices“Studies show teenagers spend, on average, roughly a quarter of their school day on their cellphones – more than 41 instructional days over the course of a school year.”
• ⚠
  Pasco School District officials and students praised the moveNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
• ✓
  Pasco School District officials and students noted improved student engagement after implementing similar policies“"Adopting a consistent cell phone policy at our school has had a positive impact on teachers, discipline, and student interactions," said Pasco High School Principal Veronica Machado. "With one consistent expectation across the entire system, students know what is expected of them regardless of the classroom they are in. That consistency reduces distractions and allows teachers to spend less time addressing cellphone-related issues and more time focusing on instruction and building relationships. We’re also seeing positive impacts on student interactions: Students are talking, chatting, and interacting more naturally with their peers. We appreciate the Governor’s support and welcome a statewide policy."”
• ✓
  Pasco School District officials and students noted fewer discipline issues after implementing similar policies“"Adopting a consistent cell phone policy at our school has had a positive impact on teachers, discipline, and student interactions," said Pasco High School Principal Veronica Machado. "With one consistent expectation across the entire system, students know what is expected of them regardless of the classroom they are in. That consistency reduces distractions and allows teachers to spend less time addressing cellphone-related issues and more time focusing on instruction and building relationships. We’re also seeing positive impacts on student interactions: Students are talking, chatting, and interacting more naturally with their peers. We appreciate the Governor’s support and welcome a statewide policy."”
• ✓
  The proposal builds on existing local policies“Governor Ferguson’s proposal will build on policies like Pasco’s, creating a consistent, statewide policy.”
• ✓
  The proposal seeks to create a statewide standard“Governor Ferguson’s proposed “Away for the Day” policy will remove smart devices, including smartphones and smart watches, from the first to last bell in K-12 public schools in Washington state.”
• ✓
  The Governor’s office stated the measure will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session“Governor Ferguson held an event in Pasco to discuss a top legislative priority for the upcoming session: Banning cellphones in schools statewide during school hours.”