Before the start of the school year, the Virginia Department of Education released a draft of new policies to limit student cell phone use, but these largely mirror the Alexandria Schools’ existing cell phone policy.

Alexandria City Public Schools last year enacted rules regarding cell phone use in schools that will take effect beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

State guidelines state that it is up to individual school divisions to define storage options, but options include student backpacks, lockers, locked bags or a designated space in the classroom. ACPS guidelines state that cell phones must be on silent, turned off and stored in lockers, backpacks or purses.

Although the ACPS guidelines differentiate the regulations for elementary, middle, and high school students, the wording is identical in each category:

Personal mobile devices must be muted (or turned off) and put away during the school day. Personal mobile devices may be stored in a secure location designated by the school. Smartwatches may be worn, but communication features should remain turned off during the school day. For privacy reasons, students are prohibited from using cell phones, tablets, and mobile devices (including ACPS-issued devices) in restrooms and locker rooms.

This policy largely reflects new guidelines from the Virginia Department of Education.

For the high school level, the Department of Education guidelines state:

1. High school students are prohibited from possessing a cell phone or other personal electronic communication device during the school day.
2. If mobile phones or personal electronic communication devices are brought to school, they must also be stowed away and switched off for the entire school day.
3. Outside of class hours, mobile phones and personal electronic communication devices may be used on school premises before or after school.
4. During class time, students must use school communication tools and platforms (whether in the office, classroom, or other central location) to communicate non-urgent concerns to their parents.
5. Parents should use the school’s communication tools and channels to report emergencies during school hours.
6. Educators and all sponsors of extracurricular activities must use non-social media-based apps to communicate information about activities and sports schedules to students during school hours.
7. Schools should provide secondary school students with developmentally appropriate guidance and support in the appropriate use of school-provided technology devices, educational apps and learning tools for academic purposes (both in the classroom and for homework) and for educational research.

The Virginia Department of Education is gathering feedback on the new guidelines through Sept. 15. Recommendations will be formally shared with school systems on Jan. 1 and are expected to be discussed at school board meetings in the fall. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.