Students at Dobie Middle School pass through the hallway in between classes on Monday, April 14, 2025. The school has received three consecutive F ratings, according to state academic standards, and is likely to receive a fourth this year. A fifth would allow the state to take over the district, so to prevent that from occurring, the district will likely close the school this year.
San Diego, California – The San Diego Unified School District on Tuesday unanimously approved a new “phone-free school day” policy that will go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The policy, part of a broader statewide push to address the impact of smartphones on student learning and well-being, will prohibit most phone use across all grades during regular school hours.
The move comes in response to Assembly Bill 3216 — California’s newly enacted “Phone-Free School Act” — which requires all public schools to adopt limits on mobile device use by July 2026. But district officials say their decision wasn’t driven solely by legal compliance.
“We realize our existing policy hasn’t changed since 2003,” said Enrique Ruacho, Chief of Staff for the district. “We’re updating it because student life, technology, and learning environments have all changed dramatically in the last two decades.”
Under the new guidelines, students in grades TK through 12 must keep their phones off and out of sight—either in backpacks, lockers, or on desks—throughout the instructional day. High school students will be permitted to use phones during lunch and between classes. Exceptions include emergencies, health-related needs, or educator-approved instructional use.
San Diego Unified, the largest school district in San Diego County, consulted widely with parents, students, and educators while drafting the policy. District leaders cited mounting concerns over classroom distraction, declining academic focus, and rising mental health challenges as reasons for moving forward ahead of the state mandate.
Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula emphasized that consistent and professional enforcement across campuses will be key. “It’s about how we communicate expectations,” Bagula said. “This policy isn’t just about discipline — it’s about creating the conditions for students to focus and thrive.”
When students violate the policy, educators are encouraged to begin with inquiry rather than punishment. “We want to know what’s going on with the student first,” Ruacho said. Still, repeated violations could result in consequences ranging from temporary phone confiscation to restrictions from school events.
The policy also addresses other personal technology. High school students may use earbuds, smartwatches, or headphones at their teachers’ discretion—as long as the devices don’t disrupt instruction. Enforcement strategies will lean on a restorative justice framework, including verbal reminders, counselor referrals, and parent contact before discipline escalates.
Scheduled to take effect on August 11, 2025, the policy represents a growing effort across the state to reframe how digital devices function in schools—not as ubiquitous extensions of student identity, but as tools to be managed with intention. In the eyes of district officials, limiting phone access during school hours is no longer a novelty. It’s a necessity.
