At the beginning of the school year 2024-2025, Pasco High created a no-phone policy due to students always being on their phones and distracted. Their goal was to improve grades, but did that happen?
Many teachers loved it, but some students did not. They can only use their phones for six minutes during passing periods and their 30-minute lunchtime. If they get caught using it when they’re not supposed to, the teacher will make them put it in a bright yellow bubble envelope and take it away for the rest of the school day. Students can pick it up after school, but after three times, a parent must come with them to pick it up. I interviewed some students and teachers to see what they thought of the phone policy, and this is what they had to say.
1. Has the new phone policy helped your students’ grades improve? Do you like the policy?
Ms. Lincoln said, “The current phone policy has not improved or worsened my students’ grades. I think it has to be all or nothing. Many students don’t bring their laptops, or they don’t work. If we want to prepare students for the future, we are not doing a very good job at that. Not everyone carries a laptop, so we should also teach them how to use their cell phones as resources instead.”
2. Have your grades improved with this new phone policy?
A Junior said, “My grades have improved because when I was able to always use my phone during class, I would just ask AI and copy and paste their answers. Now, I put in some effort and understand what I’m doing in my classes.”
3. Do you see any improvements in grades with the policy?
Mr. Garcia said, “My students’ grades have gotten better with the policy because students are more focused on taking notes and paying attention rather than trying to be on their phones and being distracted.”
4. Do you think the phone policy is fair?
A junior said, “My grades are 50/50 with the phone policy; it’s not fair. Since when do we have that?? We should remove it and bring it back for the class of 2027.”
5. Does your phone usage affect your grades?
A sophomore said, “My grades haven’t dropped or improved, but it’s not my phone fault. Class is just boring, and I would rather sleep or talk to my friends.”
