In the summer of 2025, phone bans struck the nation. New rules regarding phones have been put in place, including complete bell-to-bell bans and partial restrictions taking place in more than a dozen states, including Kentucky, Texas and Alabama. Because of this, a big question for State High coming into this school year was what the response would be to phone bans in other states, and what changes might be made. Laura Tobias, State College Area High School’s principal, said, “There really is no cell phone policy per the district; what there is is a cell phone procedure.”
She went on to explain that while policy is established by the school board, the cell phone procedure is established by the high school’s administration team to help students focus in class. According to State High’s phone procedure, phones need to be away during instructional time, which includes study halls. Photos of others without their consent are not allowed. Additionally, phone pouches are being gradually incorporated into various areas throughout the school, including the testing and learning centers. She also states that the official cell phone procedure was created last year, and though it hasn’t officially changed much, that doesn’t mean things won’t be different in the future.
Tobias said, “Things are changing quickly in the nation and states.” She went on to explain that, while at a national principal conference, she learned of multiple states banning phones. She also says that phone bans have happened in the state of Pennsylvania already at schools such as Carlisle, Hershey and Harrisburg.
“What I think’s possibly coming, I believe there’s a bill in Pennsylvania already to ban them in schools,” Tobias said.
Students seem supportive of the phone procedure. Sophomore Regan Houseknecht said, “It doesn’t affect me too much; I don’t really need to text anyone during the day.” He also stated that the procedure is beneficial in the classroom because it allows students to engage more with each other and what is being taught in the classroom.
Teachers also seem supportive of the procedure. When asked about how it is working, Science teacher Sarah Lucas said, “I have not had phones be a distraction so far this year.”
Comparing this year to last year, she said, “I think we’re doing a good job of adhering to the policy this year.”
Finally, she finished by saying, “It’s good for me, too. I also have a phone, and I am in the same boat as you young people.”
The State High staff is doing what they can to support students’ education through these changes.
“I think our students are really trying,” Tobias said. “I think it’s important for them to have their phone. Again, you’re growing up in an age of technology where this is how you communicate with each other, right? But maybe teaching them how to do it in a positive way, making sure they value instructional time with their teachers, I think we can only keep reminding students of the importance of their education.”
