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Ban cell phones in all K-12 schools? Not so fast, say school officials
Lawmakers narrowed AB 1644 after school groups said a statewide rule would override local policies and create confusion for staff.
- California lawmakers scaled back AB 1644, removing high schools from the proposed cell phone ban under pressure from school boards and administrators; the bill now applies only to grades K-8.
- School board and administrator groups opposed the bill, arguing a "one-size-fits-all policy undermines districts' ability to enact their own rules suited to their own specific students' needs." They warned conflicting laws would confuse staff and invalidate policies set for July.
- Rishaan Marwaha, a freshman at Sage Hill High School in Newport Beach, testified last month before the Assembly Education Committee supporting AB 1644, saying "it's not a fair fight because students are a vulnerable population."
- Torrance Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the bill's author, said "I was disappointed, but I take the long view on this," expressing hope the state will eventually enact a high school ban.
- While a recent study questioned whether cell phone bans improve test scores or attendance, Northgate High School in Walnut Creek reported harassment fell 33% and bullying dropped 50% after implementing the policy.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
Ban cellphones in all K-12 schools? Not so fast, say school officials
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for its newsletters. Until last month, California was poised to join nearly a dozen other states that ban cellphones in K-12 schools. But under pressure from school boards and administrators, lawmakers scaled back a bill that would have required such a blanket ban. “I was disappointed, but I take the long view on this,” said Torrance Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, an author of …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
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