School District Polices for Communication Devices.

School district boards of directors are authorized to adopt policies that limit the possession of:

• paging devices by students that emit audible signals, vibrate, display a message, or otherwise summon or deliver communications to the possessor; and
• portable or cellular telephones.

The Washington State School Directors' Association has a model policy on students and telecommunication devices that school districts may adopt.  The model policy sets forth conditions for students to observe while on school property and while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities. 

Compilation of Resources for Digital Citizenship, Media Literacy, and Internet Safety.

Legislation enacted in 2017 directed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create a web-based location with links to recommended successful practices and resources to support digital citizenship, media literacy, and internet safety.  The web-based location was specified to be for use in the 2017-18 school year, but the legislation, for purposes of adding to the location, required the OSPI to continue identifying and developing open educational resources to support digital citizenship, media literacy, and internet safety in schools.

"Digital citizenship" is defined in statute to include the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use, including digital and media literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security.  The term also includes the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, as well as internet safety and cyberbullying prevention and response.

Report to the Legislature.

By December 15, 2027, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must submit a report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature that summarizes the policies and procedures adopted by public schools in Washington and other states limiting student use of mobile devices during instructional hours.  The report, which must include student input on its required recommendations, must summarize barriers that public schools have experienced when implementing the policies and procedures and include evidence-based recommendations related to student mobile device use during instructional hours that support academic learning and other objectives.  The report must also include recommendations for incorporating student mobile device use in the statutory definition of "digital citizenship."

Additional Content for Web-Based Compilation of Resources.

The web-based location of the OSPI that includes links to recommended practices and resources for digital citizenship, media literacy, and internet safety, must also include:

• research on student use of mobile devices; and
• recommended best practice strategies for teaching students how to use their mobile devices responsibly, such as research commissioned by the Washington Association of School Administrators.

School District Policies and Procedures for Communication Devices.

School district boards of directors are authorized to adopt policies and procedures that limit possession and use of telecommunication devices and mobile devices by students, rather than only policies that limit student possession of telecommunication devices and portable or cellular telephones.  School district boards of directors, when considering adoption of policies and procedures that limit student possession or use of mobile devices during instructional hours, are encouraged to review recommendations provided by the OSPI to the Legislature.

Definitions.

"Mobile device" is defined to mean any personal mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device with which a user engages in a call or writes or sends a message, or any device in which the user plays a game or watches a video.  The term does not include school-issued devices.

The definition of "digital citizenship" is revised to specify that the term also includes the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to the use of mobile devices.

(In support) This bill provides guidance and is a measured step toward approaching bell-to-bell requirements for student use of mobile phones. 

Phone apps are designed to keep users hooked, and as a result, students are missing other opportunities.  Clear rules are needed to protect students' ability to learn at school.

Research indicates that a typical child spends 25 percent of their day on the phone.  Allowing phones in schools gives our children away to corporate interests.

Removing phones from schools has been transformative.  Teachers and staff can be overwhelmed by phones, but removing them allows students to actually be students.  Test scores have increased when phones were removed from schools.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) Phones are a constant distraction for all students.  Any statewide policy that is adopted should allow for necessary accommodations and permit exceptions when authorized by the school district superintendent.

Washington is being left behind.  This bill requires recommendations to the Legislature in 2028, but that is too late.  Phones need to be banned during breaks and lunches, as they are contributing to youth mental health issues.  This bill should be stronger.

(In support) Paula Fillmore-Sardinas, FMSGS and WBBA; and Taka Yoshida.

Danica Noble, UW Tech Law and Public Policy Clinic Project; Grace Kaste; and John Warren.