Understanding the New Cell Phone Policy in Long Beach Schools
Long Beach Unified School District Implements New Cell Phone Policy to Enhance Learning
The Long Beach Unified School District has officially implemented a new cell phone policy across all grade levels, following a successful trial at Millikan High School last semester. The policy aims to improve student focus and learning by limiting phone usage during school hours.
At Millikan High, where the policy has already been in practice, AP English teacher Lee Underwood noted a significant shift in student engagement. "I’ve seen a difference this year," Underwood remarked. "The level of writing has improved. The level of thinking has improved. Their willingness to take risks in writing has improved."
The policy, adopted in September, outlines specific guidelines for mobile device usage:
- Elementary school students are prohibited from using phones throughout the school day.
- Middle school students are required to keep their devices in their backpacks.
- High school students may use phones only during non-instructional periods, such as lunch or passing times, and not during class.
Principal Stacy Alexander emphasized the objective of the new regulations: to refocus students’ attention in the classroom and reduce distractions. "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 noted, referring to similar policies adopted by districts statewide.
The Long Beach Unified School District has indicated that exceptions to the policy can be made on a case-by-case basis for emergencies or academic needs. District leaders are committed to ongoing evaluations to assess the policy’s impact on student learning and overall educational outcomes.
