(UNION CITY, CA.) – James Logan High School will be implementing a new mobile device policy that increases restrictions on student usage of a broad range of devices.
Effective July 1, the students of the 2026-2027 school year will be the first to experience the school environment under these new rules.
The devices affected under the new policy include “smartphones, smartwatches, wearable communication devices, and other devices with internet access, social media capability, or applications beyond basic calling and texting."
Other technologies, such as artificial intelligence and flock cameras have also recently been of concern across government-run agencies.
The Old Policy
Previously, students were only required to turn off and put away any personal devices before entering any office or teaching space. Speakers, headphones, and other devices were included under this rule.
Teachers were able to allow students to use these devices at their discretion.
This version of the policy also stated that school personnel could confiscate student devices if they were used in ways that violated the policy. They could then choose to provide further consequences to students and return confiscated devices to parents or guardians only.
Overall, it was rather short and sweet.
Photo Credit: JLHS Student & Family Handbook 2025-26
The Official Policy
The official revision to the New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) mobile communication device policy was passed under the consent agenda of a Board of Trustees meeting on May 5.
This revision also states that students must have their devices turned off or silent and stored out of sight in a bag or any other designated storage during instructional time.
It goes beyond the old policy in that the revision specifies that these devices cannot be used even if a student has completed their work or if a student takes a restroom break during instructional time.
The rules in place for consequences and confiscations as a result of violating any mobile device policies are the same as the old policy.
Unlike the old policy, however, the document from the board includes how these policies will affect those with medical needs, or accommodations for students who need these devices, such as students who must use apps for medical devices.
Photo Credit: Mobile Communication Devices
This document is largely similar to the rules outlined by Education Code 48901.7.
James Logan High School’s Implementation
While the new policy is, at its core, very similar to the old, it emphasizes the placement of student devices into a classroom phone caddy immediately at the beginning of each class.
It draws attention to this aspect of the policy even more by explicitly stating that students are not allowed to keep devices in their bags, pockets, or on their person in any way.
It also emphasizes that teachers should only allow students to use personal devices when they are able to support the lesson.
Nothing has been removed from the previously mentioned policies in the new one. Instead, there were specifications and new aspects introduced that further limit the presence of students' personal devices within classrooms.
Acknowledging that student devices can be crucial to communication between students and family, the new policy includes a statement intended to provide some reassurance to families.
“This procedure is not intended to eliminate access to phones but rather to ensure that instructional time remains focused on learning while reducing unnecessary distractions.”
It also briefly explains the reasoning behind the increased restrictions.
Photo Credit: JLHS Cell Phone Policy
To add or correct any information in this report, please contact me at madison.v@lead4earth.org.
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