Electronic Device Policy-State Mandated

  CRANSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY

1. PURPOSE

The Cranston School Committee is committed to fostering an optimal learning environment free from distractions.

This policy addresses the responsibility of Cranston Public Schools to provide a safe and healthy learning environment and to reduce distractions, maintain environments focused on learning and protect the privacy and safety of students and staff. This policy outlines the responsibilities of students, staff, and parents. 

As mandated by R.I. General Law16-21-43 and related regulations, the Cranston School Committee prohibits the use of students’ personal electronic devices, including personal cell phones and other personal electronic devices, by students during the school day except in cases of emergency communications or except as consistent with this policy or otherwise directed by the Superintendent of Schools.

1. DEFINITIONS

Student personal electronic devices covered under this policy are defined as students’ or any third party’s device in a student’s care, custody, or control (except those provided by the district), including personal cell phones, mobile phones, and all other personal electronic devices capable of communicating data, videos, music, texting, messages, voicemail, and email. 

Student personal electronic devices prohibited by this policy also include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, exercise devices, gaming systems, and earbuds or other devices contemplated by R.I. Gen. Laws 16-21-43 and related regulations.

III.  POLICY GUIDELINES

1. General Prohibition

Students’ personal electronic devices, including cell phones, must be powered/turned off and stored out of view during instructional time.

This policy applies to all students (Pre-K-12) during the school day and during other school-related activities as determined by the administration. Exceptions may be granted by the administration. 

Student-Specific Rules

All electronic devices must be powered/turned off and stored out of view in backpacks, designated storage areas if provided, or by other methods determined by the administration upon entering school grounds and remain off during instructional time.

Site-based administrators, with approval of the Superintendent, will develop a protocol to secure electronic devices when confiscated or otherwise held.

Students are prohibited from utilizing district Wi-Fi or internet capabilities for any personal cell phone or personal electronic devices.

Students are prohibited from possessing any electronic device, as defined by this policy, in any school restroom/bathroom or other areas as determined by the administration.

Students shall not photograph, video record, audio record, or livestream any student or staff member using a personal electronic device during the school day.

1. School/Home Communication

Emergency Communication(s):  Should an emergency occur and contact with students is required by a parent or other designated individual, a phone call to the main office is the appropriate manner to effect an urgent communication.

1. Emergency Situations

In emergencies, students may request permission from a teacher to use a school office phone.

Parents and guardians needing to contact a student during the school day shall do so through the school’s main office. 

1. Exceptions

Excepted from this general restriction are personal electronic devices or district devices used to provide access to assistive technology necessary to comply with individualized student 504 plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), medical needs such as glucose monitoring, and/or a plan to support emergent multilingual learner (MLL) students with appropriate language access programs and services to ensure the provision of appropriate and meaningful public education.

The allowable exceptions shall be written into the student's identified plan and approved by the appropriate team or coordinator.

Students provided an exception to this policy shall not be segregated from students without such exception.

1. Enforcement

For Students: 

First Offense: Device will be surrendered to a staff member, turned over to administration, for student pickup at the end of the school day, in the main office or designated area. 

Second Offense: Device will be surrendered to staff members and turned over to administration. The device will be available for parent pickup at the end of the school day.

Third Offense: Device will be surrendered to staff members and delivered to the administration. The student will be assigned detention, and the device will be available upon the completion of the detention/parent contact. 

Continuous Offenses: Additional consequences will be implemented by the administration, including daily confiscation of the electronic device, parent meetings, revoking of social and other privileges, and further in-house suspension.

The respective student discipline codes and student handbooks shall be amended to reflect these offenses and consequences.

1. Communication And Training

The policy will be distributed to all students, parents/guardians, and staff before the start of each academic year.  Staff will receive training on enforcing the policy consistently.

1. Protocol & Annual Review

The Superintendent is directed to develop a protocol consistent with this policy. The Superintendent will review the implementation of this policy annually and report to the Cranston School Committee any proposed changes to the policy or protocols based on updated applicable research and best practices.

The District will maintain data and obtain feedback from stakeholders to guide amendments to this policy to ensure its effectiveness. 

Cranston Public Schools assumes no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal electronic devices brought onto school property.

No school official or employee may search the contents of a student's personal electronic device that is retained by the school during school hours and not in the student’s possession as covered by RIGI 12-21-43.

This policy and accompanying protocol shall be filed with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Date of passage:

Policy Adopted: 8/11/26                                         CRANSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS                

Resolution No. 26-08-05                                        CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND