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Orange Unified adopts districtwide smartphone-use policy under new state law
Summary
The Orange Unified School District board unanimously adopted a board policy to limit student smartphone use in school, citing research on learning gains and committing to family resources and implementation regulations to start this fall.
The Orange Unified School District board unanimously adopted a new policy limiting student use of mobile communication devices during the school day to comply with Assembly Bill 3216 and to support student engagement and well-being.
Dr. R. Singh, who led the policy development, told the board the measure was grounded in research showing that restricting in-class smartphone access can improve attention, social engagement and academic outcomes. "Unrestricted access to mobile communication devices during the school day can compete with students' developing capacity for sustained attention and self-regulation," Singh said, summarizing the academic rationale embedded in the policy.
Trustees praised a months-long stakeholder process. Board members were told more than 4,400 people participated in surveys and meetings, and district staff reported outreach included teachers, parents and community partners. "We heard robust feedback," Trustee P. said, and trustees emphasized the policy's student-centered tone.
The policy requires staff to develop administrative regulations and family-facing resources before full implementation. Dr. Singh said the district will provide parent materials, post the research cited in the policy, include the guidance in the parent-student handbook and use ParentSquare to distribute updates.
Board members also requested implementation safeguards: administrators will identify exceptions for health or safety needs, clarify procedures for students who require device access, and create a plan to monitor compliance. The board directed staff to collect stakeholder feedback after the policy takes effect and to report implementation results annually for five years.
The board vote was unanimous. Trustees and staff said the district will begin issuing implementation guidance to schools this summer, with final administrative regulations coming before the start of the next school year.
