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Milpitas Unified pilots phone restrictions after state ‘Phone Free School Act’ deadline
Summary
The presenter said the state’s Phone Free School Act requires standalone cell-phone policies by July 1, 2026; the district is piloting classroom pockets and phone-restricting apps at high schools and will bring a policy recommendation to the board in November.
The Milpitas Unified presenter said the district is preparing for a state law described in the talk as the Phone Free School Act (cited in the transcript as AB 32 16) that requires all districts to adopt a standalone cell-phone policy by July 1, 2026. The presenter said the district's current phone rules are embedded in the code of conduct but the new law requires a separate policy.
To develop a recommendation for the board in November, the district is piloting several approaches at high school sites: students placing phones in a classroom "cell phone pocket" upon entering, or using a phone app that restricts access to non-instructional content while allowing instructional apps. The presenter said these pilots will inform the board recommendation in November.
Why it matters: The law imposes a uniform policy requirement and the district's choice of an implementation approach will affect classroom management, student access, and enforcement practices across sites.
Next steps: The district will continue pilots at high schools and present a recommended standalone policy to the board in November.
