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MISD Implementing MI Phone-Free Schools at IMS and MIHS Starting in 2024-25

MISD Implementing MI Phone-Free Schools at IMS and MIHS Starting in 2024-25
MISD Communications
Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle

Dear Mercer Island Community,

Expressed in our values, vision, and mission, Mercer Island School District is committed to fostering whole-child learning by:

  • Engaging students in thinking critically and solving problems creatively;
  • Creating inclusive and equitable learning settings;
  • Ensuring our schools are safe and supportive; and 
  • Providing rigorous and challenging opportunities for students.

We believe this is possible if we promote a deep sense of belonging for students and ensure they know we believe in their limitless potential.

Whereas we recognize areas we need to improve to fulfill these hopes and dreams and remain resolute in our commitment to do so, we believe social media and ubiquitous access to personal technology devices creates a significant barrier in our schools. Therefore, to foster the learning environments we desire and promote healthy social and emotional development, Mercer Island School District will restrict access to personal cell phones and smart watches during the school day in 2024-25 for students in IMS and MIHS. It is already a practice in our elementary schools that cell phones and smart watches are not allowed and we will emphasize this expectation in the coming school year. 

We are calling this new cell phone policy MI Phone-Free Schools.

QR Code for survey

We have created a unique web page www.mercerislandschools.org/cellphone where we will provide information, resources, and updates to our community on the implementation of MI Phone-Free Schools. This page includes a video I recorded that I encourage you to watch which explains why we are creating this opportunity at this time as well as links to cell phones in schools studies, stories, and reports and information on the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.  

To assist with this change, we have developed a comprehensive transition and support plan for students, staff, and parents. One step in this plan is a brief survey we are asking you to complete to provide feedback on the implementation of new MISD cell phone policy. Thank you for completing this survey and helping us adjust our plan to the needs and questions of the community.

The information below, all of which I speak to in the video, highlights why we are implementing MI Phone-Free Schools for IMS and MIHS starting in 2024-25. Later in July, after we have heard from our community through the survey linked above, we will inform our community about how we will implement MI Phone-Free Schools. 

MI Phone Free Schools graphic

Rooting Our Decision in Data
Every other year, our 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders participate in the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS). Among a variety of questions regarding the health of students in MISD, King County, and across Washington State, students are asked about the impact of the internet and social media. The following results were collected from the fall 2023 administration of the HYS. Based on student and parent feedback as well as lived experience, our administrators and counselors were surprised these numbers were not even higher. Still, they give us pause to intervene.

  • MISD Students were asked “How often do you experience increased social anxiety from social media or the internet?” The following responded, “often,” or “very often”:
    • 8th grade - 5%
    • 10th grade - 12%
    • 12th grade - 10%
       
  • MISD Students were asked “How often do you experience feeling a sense of withdrawal when away from social media or the internet?” The following responded, “often,” or “very often”:
    • 8th grade - 6%
    • 10th grade - 13%
    • 12th grade - 10% 
       
  • MISD Students were asked “How often do you lose motivation as a result of social media or the internet?” The following responded, “often,” or “very often”:
    • 8th grade - 10%
    • 10th grade - 28%
    • 12th grade - 30% 

Administrators of the HYS combine the results from the three questions above to make a ‘Problematic Social Media and Internet Use Measure.’ The intent of this measure is to identify and track risks to youth health and wellness from social media and internet use. Although not reported by individual school districts, these findings are available at the county and state levels and help put MI student risks in context.

  • The risk factor to students increased for each grade level between 2021 and 2023:
    • 8th grade - 19% to 39% in King County
    • 10th grade - 21% to 49% in King County
    • 12th grade - 23% to 50% in Washington (not enough 12th graders took the survey to be released by HYS)
       
  • Though not asked in 2021, when asked in 2023 if students used social media several times per day or more students reported the following:
    • 6th grade - 33% in King County
    • 8th grade - 51% in King County
    • 10th grade - 68% in King County
    • 12th grade - 75% in Washington

Both IMS and MIHS recently sent surveys to students, families, and staff as part of our process to learn more about cell phone use in both schools.

  • IMS administrators surveyed their staff about cell phones in their school with the question “What kind of policies would you like to see at IMS for cell phones?”. 35 staff members responded to this question, with seven staff members selecting two of three answers below or they selected one answer below and also submitted an answer in the “Other” answer option:
    • No Cell Phone usage in classrooms (Student may use their phones before school, during lunch, and after school) - 42.9%
    • Cell phones must remain in bags from 8:25am to 2:50pm - 54.3%
    • Phones can be used for instructional purposes with the teacher’s permission and supervision - 11.4%

*Some respondents chose more than one option, which explains the slight variation in data.

  • The IMS survey to families included the question “What kind of policy would you like to see at IMS regarding cell phones?”. This question, which received 244 responses, had three responses to choose from and the responses were:
    • Cell phones should be banned at school - 47.3%
    • Students may use their phones before school, during passing times, during lunch, and after school - 32.9%
    • Students may use their phones before and after school but it will be off and away during school hours - 22.8%

*Some respondents chose both the first and third option, which explains the slight variation in data.

  • MIHS sent a cell phone specific survey to students, families, and staff which included these questions: 
    • How often do you use your phone during class time for non-academic reasons (for example: checking social media, texting with friends, or playing games)? (242 student responses
      • I don’t have a cell phone - 1.2%
      • Never - 33.1%
      • Occasionally (once or twice a week) - 44.2%
      • Often (three or four times a week) - 13.2%
      • Always (every day) - 8.3%
         
    • What are some of the reasons you use your cell phone during school hours (including in the classroom, in the halls, and in the bathrooms)? [Check all that apply] (242 student responses)
      • I don’t use my cell phone during class time - 13.6%
      • Texting friends - 52.5%
      • Texting family - 78.9%
      • Checking social media - 26.4%
      • Checking the time - 80.2%
      • Listening to music - 78.1%
      • Watching videos - 17.8%
      • Playing games - 17.8%
      • Completing class work - 77.7%
         
    • Rate your thoughts on this statement: Cell phone use during school is necessary to support student learning and engagement. (831 responses from students, families, and staff)
      • Strongly Agree - 10.8%
      • Agree - 13.6%
      • Neutral - 14.2%
      • Disagree - 26.5%
      • Strongly Disagree - 34.9%
         
  • Do you believe there are negative consequences to cell phone use in schools? (484 staff responses)
    • Yes - 96.1%
    • No - 3.9%

Interests of Community Members
We believe students, staff, parents, and community members will have a variety of important and valid interests in making the transition to cell phone device free schools. We have brainstormed some questions and interests that we anticipate to emerge which we will be sharing with the community in late July as part of the information on how we will implement MI Phone-Free Schools

We know this change is going to create a wide range of emotion from anxiety to jubilation and anger to joy. I look forward to speaking with you in the weeks to come as we all make this transition together.

Sincerely,

Fred Rundle

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