School board seeks input from parents, students and staff on mobile device usage in high school classrooms

On July 9, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Executive Order 33, which raises concerns about student health related to the pervasive use of mobile devices by students and directs school divisions to create policies concerning the use of mobile devices (phones, watches, tablets, earphones, etc.) during school hours, with the aim to create mobile device-free education in Virginia.

The Roanoke County School Board proactively adopted a strong policy in the 2022-2023 school year, but is considering making further adjustments at the high school level to this policy, in consideration of the concerns expressed in the governor’s executive order. The School Board would like to hear from parents, high school students, and all teachers/staff, before making this decision.

Currently, Roanoke County Public School policy states that elementary and middle school students may possess a mobile device provided the device is off, or on airplane mode, and put away out of sight during the entire school day.

At the high school level, students may have a mobile device in the classroom provided it is off or on airplane mode and put away out of sight.  Students may use mobile devices in the classroom only if permitted by a teacher for specific instructional purposes.  Students may use mobile devices while in the hallways and during lunch. 

In Executive Order 33, Governor Youngkin noted statistics from the Centers for Disease Control about the significant physical and mental health concerns for children who extensively use social media, and are distracted and disconnected from personal social interactions due to constant communication through mobile devices.  Research conducted by the Thomas Fordham Institute noted that mobile devices and social media are contributing to increased depression and anxiety in students, resulting in lower academic performance.

The Roanoke County School Board is considering some potential changes to the current mobile device policy related to use in high schools.  The school board is looking at three options:

1. No changes – keep the current policy as is.
2. Prohibit all use of personal mobile devices during class for high schools, but continue to allow use between classes and during lunch.
3. Mirroring the elementary and middle school policy – high school students would not be allowed to use mobile devices during the entire school day.

The school division has EXTENDED the survey window and is asking all Roanoke County Public School parents, high school students and all teachers/staff to share their thoughts on these options by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 1.

Parents/Guardians Survey

High School Students Survey

High School Staff Survey

Elementary/Middle School Staff Survey