The hottest School Policy Substack posts right now

Having rules about smartphone use in schools helps students connect better with their teachers. Many teachers noticed students paying more attention and being more respectful after limiting phone use.
The shift away from screens in the classroom has made a positive difference in students' behavior and engagement. Teachers are seeing students who are more willing to participate and communicate.
Promoting more unsupervised play can help children develop important social skills. This balance is important to counteract the heavy use of technology in their lives.

More schools are going phone-free, which means students won't use phones during the whole school day. This helps them focus on learning and connecting with friends.
Total phone bans can improve students' grades and attention in class. Teachers also feel less distracted and more engaged with their students.
Policies are being created to guide schools on how to effectively limit phone use. This is often driven by parents who see the negative effects of phones on children.

Schools should encourage families to delay giving their kids smartphones until high school. This helps kids focus better on their education.
Parents can help by communicating through school offices instead of texting their kids during class. This keeps kids from being distracted by their phones.
Activities and teams should not require smartphones for participation. Schools can find other ways to share information that includes all students.

The new cellphone policy in Ontario schools is seen as weak and not based on effective research. It's not enough to just keep phones out of sight to reduce distractions.
Even with the policy, many students still use their phones during class time. Teachers often allow this, which undermines the effort to minimize distractions.
Parents are part of the problem too. Many want stricter rules at school but still send their kids with smartphones, missing the chance to set limits at home.

Smartphones in schools are harmful to student focus and learning. When kids use their phones in class, it distracts them and lowers their grades.
Banning phones can improve the school environment. Schools that already have strict phone rules report better student behavior and more meaningful social interactions.
Parents and schools should work together on this issue. By supporting a ban on smartphones, families can help kids focus better and feel happier at school.

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England's schools have greatly improved over the last few decades, becoming some of the best in Europe. This success is partly due to effective policies and the integration of immigrant students.
However, since the pandemic, schools have faced serious challenges with increased behavior issues and poor attendance among students. Many children are missing more classes, leading to worries that they might drop out.
To sustain the progress in school standards, the government needs a focused approach that addresses the interconnected issues of attendance, behavior, and mental health. Otherwise, the gains made in education could be lost.