On July 9, 2024, the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) held a board meeting to discuss California’s new cell phone policy. This policy, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to limit phone use during the school day. The idea is to help students focus more, reduce distractions, and create a more positive and respectful environment. At the meeting, Dr. Jakubic and Dr. Barile from Corona Fundamental Intermediate School explained how limiting phones could improve academic results, reduce fights and cyberbullying, and make students more engaged in class.
The policy is based on surveys earlier this year, with over 10,000 responses from parents, educators, and students. Parents submitted 9,723 responses, with many supporting the idea of fewer distractions and less cyberbullying. Some parents were worried about emergencies and how their kids would contact them. Teachers filled out 1,148 surveys, saying they wanted fewer distractions and better classroom social interactions. As for students, 5,052 responded. Some said they liked the idea of being less distracted, but others complained about losing independence and not being able to use music to focus.
Some schools have already started testing the policy. At Corona High, students are required to keep phones put away during instructional time. Since this started, there’s been a 6% increase in the number of students earning grades of C or better. At Orange Grove Intermediate, students use Yonder pouches to lock up their phones for the entire day. Their GPA jumped from 2.2 to 3.3. Teachers at these schools noticed students were more focused and social, and students even got more involved in lunchtime activities.
The phone policy has three levels. At Level 1, students can only use their phones if the teacher says it’s okay for classwork. Level 2 means phones have to stay in backpacks or pockets and can’t be used during the day. Level 3 is stricter—phones are collected and locked up in storage units or Yonder pouches during school hours. California schools have until July 2026 to fully roll out the policy, but CNUSD is trying to implement it by January 2025.
Teachers have said they like the policy but are worried about how hard it will be to enforce, especially with parents who don’t agree with it. Some students, especially at the intermediate and high school levels, suggested that phones be allowed during lunch or homeroom as a compromise. Teachers also stressed the importance of making sure every school in the district enforces the policy the same way, so it’s fair for everyone.
Although Santiago High hasn’t started enforcing this policy yet, it’s expected to happen soon. Schools that have already tried it are seeing results, so it’ll be interesting to see how it works here. What do you think about phones being limited at Santiago? Would it help you focus, or do you think it’s too restrictive?
