Notes on phones in schools
Under a Madison Metropolitan School District rule, students are allowed to have their phones in school but must refrain from using their devices in a way that disrupts learning. The policy gives school leaders latitude in creating their own rules.
The Madison School Board considered updating the district’s cell phone policy in 2022 but board members made no change. The current policy was last revised in 2014, when Apple released the iPhone 6. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 16 this fall.
A Cap Times review of school policies found most schools in the district are adopting individual rules to deter students from being on their phones.
The policies vary district-wide. Some schools require students to keep their phones off and stored in their lockers. Others allow students to keep their phones throughout the school day as long as the devices are powered down or in silent mode.
