Pennsylvania still hasn’t passed a school cellphone ban. Some Philly principals aren’t waiting.
At West Philadelphia High School, kids are sometimes on their phones — but they’re not breaking any rules. The school has a new cellphone policy, implemented last school year, that requires teachers to lock up student phones in a clear cabinet at the front of each classroom. During class, the…
In Philadelphia, some school principals are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to managing student cell phone use, even though the state has yet to enact a comprehensive ban. West Philadelphia High School, for example, has implemented a policy that requires teachers to lock up student phones in clear cabinets during class, while still allowing students to use them for schoolwork and between classes.
This approach differs from the "bell-to-bell" cellphone bans being adopted in states like New York and New Jersey, which aim to prohibit student cellphone use throughout the entire school day. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has expressed a desire for lawmakers to pass a similar ban, but as negotiations continue, some school leaders are content with their current strategies, which could be disrupted by a statewide policy.
The bill to ban cellphone use during the school day was passed by the state Senate and House, but disagreements remain over the ban's scope and exceptions. In Philadelphia, the district leaves cellphone policies and enforcement up to individual schools, giving them flexibility in determining how to manage student cellphone use.
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