Lessons from the Implementation of Virginia's Cell Phone Policy

Abstract

In April 2025, we conducted a follow-up survey of teachers from a school division in Southeast Virginia regarding the implementation of Virginia’s new cell phone policy. Teachers expressed strong support for the cell phone ban, citing increased student engagement and learning. Though a majority of teachers expressed support for the policy, teachers shared concerns regarding consistency in enforcing the policy. When comparing survey data from before the implementation of the policy to after, there were significant changes in teachers’ perspectives, including cell phones being less of a distraction in the classroom, teachers reporting less of a workload, and teachers feeling less supported by colleagues.