A new district policy prohibits Anchorage School District students from using cellphones in class.
The new policy requires that students put their cellphones away and turn them off or set them to airplane mode.
In a video that the district posted on social media, South Anchorage High School principal Luke Almon said Tuesday that while cellphones were once a valuable learning tool, students now have school-issued laptops. He said cellphones might be a distraction for students.
“Putting phones away helps our students focus, collaborate and succeed, both academically and emotionally,” Almon said.
Before the change, phone policies were enacted on a school-by-school basis. According to district officials, students with specific medical or educational needs related to cellphones should contact their schools immediately.
Under the new policy, high school students are only permitted to use cellphones during passing times and lunch. Elementary and middle school students are not permitted to use their phones during the day, including recess and lunchtime.
The change comes after the Alaska Legislature passed a new regulation this year mandating every school district to develop a plan for student cellphone use. In May, the Mat-Su Borough School District implemented a similar policy, prohibiting all students from using cellphones during the school day, with a few exceptions.
