"The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) amended its proposed cell phone ban policy to include stricter bell-to-bell enforcement in middle schools, meaning that mobile devices would be prohibited for tweens in grades 6-8 during the entire school day, including passing periods and lunch. A previous version of the draft policy had allowed middle-schoolers to use their devices on campus outside of instruction time. The school board provided the update during a second reading of the policy at their meeting on Wednesday."
"Cell phones are a topic that has been top of mind for many in our community, and is an ongoing larger conversation that is happening across the state, Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel said Wednesday during the school board meeting. There is still going to be a lot of work ahead of us that is going to require thoughtful engagement and planning, and possibly some piloting around the implementation and enforcement of the policy."
Berkeley Unified School District amended a proposed cell phone policy to require bell-to-bell enforcement in middle schools, banning mobile devices for grades 6–8 during the entire school day, including passing periods and lunch. Elementary students must keep phones shut off completely during the school day. High school students may use mobile devices only outside instructional time. Exceptions will apply for emergencies and specialized learning plans. The policy defines mobile devices to include headphones and smartwatches, offers regulatory suggestions, and imposes grade-level limits with a district-wide class-time ban. The district collected survey input from students, teachers, and administrators and must meet AB 3216's July 2026 deadline, with implementation requiring planning, engagement, and possible pilot programs.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]