Fresno area schools are working to eliminate phones in the classroom, hoping to improve student performance and social environment.

“My office supports efforts that protect learning time and help students stay focused, connected, and engaged at school,” Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher said. “Research shows that constant phone interruptions make it harder for students to concentrate and interact meaningfully with one another.”

California’s Phone-Free Schools Act, passed in 2024, requires all school districts develop and adopt a policy to “limit or prohibit” phone use at a school site by July 1.

Local districts have been working to come into compliance with the law, setting new standards and implementing different methods. But some are simply creating standalone policies for regulations that have been in place for years.

“We have a current policy supported by our practices that complies with the current law,” Clovis Unified spokesperson Kelly Avants said. “We’re going to be looking at pulling that language out and creating a standalone policy that’s specific to cellphones.”

Each school district has developed its own approach, but a few trends emerged among the policies. Administrations appear to favor setting expectations for students and allowing phone access during breaks over a rigid phone ban.

However, Madera Unified School District and Bullard High School opted for a firm approach — using Yondr pouches to curtail phone use. Students lock away their phones in electronically sealed pouches for the full school day, eliminating any opportunity of accessing phones.

But one thing remains the same among all districts: a desire to reduce distractions in class.

Related Story: A Tale of Two Local Districts: Implementing the CA Classroom Cell Phone Ban

Fresno Unified Uses Community Feedback

Fresno Unified School District will present a new phone policy for School Board approval at an upcoming meeting.

“Removing phones from classrooms was identified as a high priority for our teachers during a series of listening sessions superintendent Misty Her conducted at sites throughout the district,” district spokesperson AJ Kato said. “The goal is to reduce distractions and disruptions during class.”

The district gathered input from about 2,800 staff, students, and family members to draft a policy in alliance with community wishes.

Most respondents favored the “no classroom use” option, as opposed to a full ban or no change to the district’s current phone policy.

The participants hoped to reduce distractions in the classroom but stressed the need to maintain communication lines for safety reasons.

The new policy sets the expectation of mobile devices being turned off during class but allows phone use during non-instructional time. Site leaders have the jurisdiction to add to the policy and dictate punishment for students violating the policy.

Anyone can add additional feedback about the policy here.

Bullard High School Phone-Free for Years

Meanwhile, Bullard High School, a school in Fresno Unified, opted for a full ban in late 2022.

The high school implemented Yondr pouches which allows students possession of their phone, while they remain electronically locked during the school day.

The policy was met with student and parent backlash, as concerns over safety and silencing voices arose.

A petition “Keep phones accessible at Bullard,” which asserted that the phone ban would help Bullard “sweep any and all incidents under its ever-expanding rug,” had thousands of signatures.

However, Gov. Gavin Newsome praised the initiative in August 2024.

“Schools and districts, including Santa Barbara Unified and Bullard High in Fresno, have seen positive impacts of limiting smartphones on campus, with some reporting higher test scores, grades, and student engagement, and less bullying and damage to school facilities,” he said.

And, after implementing the ban, Bullard saw significant improvement. Students showed huge growth in English Language Arts, with 17.6% more pupils meeting state standards after the first year.

Related Story: Bullard High Cellphone Ban Inspired Newsom’s Push to Keep Them Out of ...

Clovis Unified Restates Standards

Clovis Unified has a “bell to bell” phone free practice, which has been updated over the years.

The district restricts phone use for middle and high school students and bans use in elementary schools. Students are expected to not have their devices out during class unless directed to do so by a teacher as part of learning instruction.

During passing periods and lunch time, students are allowed to access their devices.

But some campuses are also “offering activities during lunch period and encouraging students to stay off their phones during that time.”

This policy has been developed over time based on feedback from parents, students, and staff.

“By and large, it’s been very well received by our parents and our students and our staff and there has been a noticeable increase in engagement according to our staff,” Avants said.

Related Story: Clovis Unified Doubles Down on Cellphone Restrictions. Will Other Local ...

Madera Unified Opts for Strict Policy

A year ago, Madera Unified School District enacted its phone-free policy, using Yondr pouches.

The students are required to bring their pouch to school every day and show that their phones are locked inside before entering the building.

If they forget and leave the pouch at home, students will be asked to give their phone to a teacher until the end of the day. If students forget it more than once, parents will be asked to come pick the phone up under the new policy.

“There’s no life that’s more important than a pouch,” says Superintendent Todd Lile, assuring parents that they can be cut open to allow students access if need be.

But Lile believes cellphones haven’t made campuses safer.

“What makes us safer is knowing each other better, being better friends, being able to talk. So, we really believe that without them, we’re even going to be better,” he said.

Fresno County Supports New Phone Policies

The office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools believes local control over the new policy is essential, but it has seen clear expectations rather than rigid polices work most effectively.

“We are realistic. A rigid phone ban is difficult to enforce in real classrooms, and educators should not be pulled away from teaching to monitor devices,” spokesperson Jenny Brietigam said. “That is why we support reasonable limits on phone use during the school day, with flexibility for safety, instruction, and emergencies, shaped by local school communities.”

Additionally, it is critical to help students understand when technology is helpful and when it becomes a distraction, Brietigam said. The office hears that students adapt well when expectations are clear and fair.