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La Cañada Unified launches Challenge Success cohort to shape cell-phone policy
Summary
The district received a Challenge Success grant to involve students, parents and staff in reviewing its cell-phone policy; staff emphasized education-first approaches and plans for student- and parent-focused surveys.
La Cañada Unified School District officials announced the district has been selected for a Challenge Success grant and will use the grant to gather student voice and design local cell-phone policy guidance ahead of the statewide deadline set by AB 3226.
Assistant Superintendent for Technology and the district’s Challenge Success lead described the district’s existing approach: elementary through middle school phones are to be “away for the day,” while high school policy allows teacher-authorized use for instructional needs. Staff said principal teams, high school student leaders and teachers have begun to reintroduce and enforce the policy this fall.
Why it matters: California’s AB 3226 requires schools to limit student use of personal electronic devices by July 1, 2026. The district’s goal is to meet the legal requirement while addressing underlying issues — including student engagement, academic impact and mental-health concerns — through research, student voice and educator coaching.
What the grant covers: Staff said the Challenge Success award covers the usual annual participation costs (roughly $8,000 in staff estimate), a $1,500 travel stipend and provides a named coach, a site visit and parent training. The cohort will run a fuller survey of students and parents; staff presented pilot comments from students and early, small-sample survey results.
Points of discussion: Board members and the student representative debated several options discussed by staff including “bell-to-bell” prohibitions, teacher-managed flexibility, grade-level phases, and specific course exceptions (for photography or other classes that require a device). Staff stressed accommodations for medical needs and Individualized Education Program (IEP) provisions.
Next steps: District staff will coordinate with the Challenge Success coach, set a survey date, collect student and parent input and return with results to inform a local policy before the state deadline.
