Denver Schools Maintain Flexible Cellphone Policies Amid Boulder Valley Ban
In a significant move, the Boulder Valley School District has implemented a ban on cellphones for high school students, effective earlier this month. However, Denver Public Schools (DPS), Colorado’s largest school district, plans to continue allowing individual schools to set their own cellphone policies. DPS spokesperson Stephanie Eastland stated there are currently no intentions to change this approach.
The adoption of stricter cellphone policies comes amid growing concerns about the impact of mobile devices on students’ mental health and classroom focus. A recent survey indicated that about 90% of National Education Association members support banning cellphones during instructional time. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that three-quarters of U.S. schools had enacted cellphone bans as of 2020.
Denver Public Schools Board President Carrie Olson expressed surprise at the absence of a district-wide cellphone policy, despite an existing AI policy. Olson is committed to engaging with educators about the distractions posed by cellphones in the classroom. Meanwhile, Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, noted that teachers frequently confront cellphone issues, suggesting that a lack of clear policy complicates their efforts.
While Boulder Valley School District Superintendent Rob Anderson described the new policy as a necessary culture shift aimed at promoting peer interaction over screen dependence, Board President Nicole Rajpal criticized the decision, arguing that the board failed to adequately assess the situation before enacting the ban.
As Denver schools ponder the efficacy of similar policies, the debate over cellphone usage in educational settings remains poised for further discussion among educators, parents, and administrators.