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VANCOUVER, Wash. (KATU) – Vancouver Public Schools is the latest district to consider banning cell phones in the classroom.

It comes as the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics will restrict cellphone use when students return this summer.

For some time now, VPS has had policies that support phone restrictions and monitoring at the school-by-school and classroom level. “This year VSAA chose to strengthen oversight of cell phone use going into the 2024-25 school year,” said Jessica Roberts, Public Information Officer for VPS in a statement to KATU.

The board will consider a district-wide plan later this year. “Our board is also interested in exploring and determining best practices around cell phones in our schools at the district level, so we anticipate that we will more broadly and purposefully engage our community, students, staff and families. for this in the 2024-25 school year,” the announcement states. “Beyond that, each individual school either has a policy they share in their student handbooks (which are linked on their websites), or classrooms individuals make a rule.”

Grant High School in Northeast Portland also plans to ban cell phones. A letter was sent to parents earlier this year. If the ban is approved, students will have to put their phones in a resealable bag and can only use them before and after school.

Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest, will no longer be able to use cellphones at school after the board voted to ban the phones on Tuesday.

The board’s agenda notes that cell phones are a distraction in the classroom and can lead to “increased stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, feelings of aggression and suicidal thoughts.” He also mentions that students often become “reliant” on their phones for “focus and concentration.”

The issue is one brought up by teachers in a Pew Research study which showed, “72% of US high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.”

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is considering a statewide cell phone ban in schools.

Meanwhile, Vancouver Public Schools said they will discuss the matter with families. “As I mentioned earlier, the board will review whether this is best practice or whether a broader, consistent approach across the district is needed, and we anticipate that discussion will take place both internally with staff and externally with students and families during the next school year,” added Roberts.