On June 8, RISD trustees received an update about RISD’s cellphone-free policy for students, implemented for the just-concluded 2022-23 school year. The presentation included both discipline and survey data, and included reflections from some campus administrators. Overall, teachers report additional classroom time was recaptured for academics, and discipline instances related to student cellphone use at school trended down.
Data from RISD’s 2022-23 Yondr pouch pilot campus, Forest Meadow JH, demonstrated a dramatic decrease in cellphone-related discipline instances compared to other RISD secondary schools. The Area Superintendent for Lake Highlands discussed the overall positive impact the pilot has had on students and teachers. Notably, 100 percent of FMJH teachers responding to a survey indicated academic time increased in classrooms and all likewise felt that the school should continue with the pilot for 2023-24. Based on the pilot program results, four additional RISD secondary campuses have requested to become part of the Yondr pilot for 2023-24.
The cellphone-free policy for students will continue at all RISD schools for 2023-24.
