Draft Policy 5695 Students and Personal Electronic Devices

This policy aims to minimize distractions and ensure student focus by regulating the use of personal electronic devices in K-12 schools, with specific rules for elementary/middle schools versus high school.

Policy 5695

( ) Required (X) Local ( ) Notice

STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

​ The Board of Education recognizes that students may have personal electronic devices that can perform different functions. Such devices include but are not limited to: phones (both smartphones and call/text only phones), laptops, tablets, smart watches, wireless headphones and earbuds, internet-connected accessories, e-readers, calculators, voice recorders, cameras, and music devices. These devices can create significant distraction in the school environment, reduce student engagement, and interfere with the ability to focus. Additionally, in an emergency, the use of personal electronic devices can distract students from following the directions of staff or emergency responders, contribute to the spread of misinformation, create congestion in the emergency response system, and interfere with the district’s emergency response protocols.

Generally, the District is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school. During the school day, to minimize distractions, students and their parents/persons in parental relation are asked to communicate via the school. Building staff must educate families on the building’s communication protocol.

At the elementary and middle school levels, students’ personal electronic devices are prohibited, and it is recommended that they be left at home. If devices are brought to school, they must remain off and away in backpacks or in lockers. At the high school level, students’ personal electronic devices must be turned off or silenced without vibration and put away from the time students enter the school building until the end of the school day, including time spent in class, lunch, study hall, and between classes. Based on administrative discretion and budgetary allowances, this policy may be implemented through methods including, but not limited to, District-issued individual locked pouches, classroom cubbies or caddies, other technology or equipment, or by students keeping their devices in their own lockers or bags. Exemptions and special cases may be granted as outlined below. ​ ​ Students may be permitted to use their personal electronic devices in the classroom and other school spaces for specific educational purposes provided certain criteria are met:

●​ The student has registered the device with the District, in accordance with District procedures, and it is being used as part of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. ●​ With administrative approval, the teacher, coach, or activity advisor has authorized the use of specific personal devices for a particular activity, after which the device must be stowed per this policy. ●​ The student uses the personal device to access the Internet or authorized applications through the District’s network, under the terms of policy 5450.1 and 5450.1-R. Exemptions and Exceptions

Parents or persons in parental relation may request an exemption for their children to use personal electronic devices during the school day for bona fide medical or disability-related reasons. Requests must be made to the Building Principal and must include documentation from an appropriate medical or educational professional. If an exemption has been granted, personal devices may only be used for the purposes outlined in the exemption, and the device must be silenced and put away when not in use.

In emergency situations, exceptions to the prohibition of the use of personal electronic devices may be granted by teachers or administrators.

Enforcement and Consequences

​ Enforcement of this policy is the responsibility of building administrative staff; however, all designated employees are expected to assist in enforcement. Students in violation of this policy must stow/secure their device or will have the device removed by administrators and retained in a secure location for the parent/person in parental relation to retrieve at the end of the school day. Specifics as to the manner and mechanism of retrieval will be outlined in the repsective school handbooks. Administrators will discuss the aims of this policy with students and their parents/persons in parental relations, the benefits of a distraction-free environment, the reasons the student had difficulty following this policy, and how the district can help the student. Subsequent violations may also result in consequences under the district’s Code of Conduct.

​ Some uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the school district’s Code of Conduct or other District policies, and in some instances, the law. The District will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.

Electronic Devices and Testing

​ To ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with State guidelines, students may not bring cell phones or other electronic devices into classrooms or other exam locations during State assessments. Teachers may grant specific permission for electronic device usage during tests other than State assessments.

​ Test proctors, monitors, and school officials have the right to collect cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test-taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a cell phone or other electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.

​ Students with Individualized Education Plans, Section 504 Plans, or documentation from medical practitioners specifically requiring the use of electronic devices may do so as specified.

Cross-ref:​ 5300, Code of Conduct 5450.1, Scarsdale Schools Responsible Use Policy Ref:​ Price v. New York City Board of Education, 16 Misc.3d 543 (2007) NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State Assessments, www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-and-electronic-devices-new-y ork-state-assessments.

Adoption date: