Las Vegas schools require students to put their phones in signal-blocking cases

Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, students in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas will be required to carry their cell phones in a case that does not lock and blocks the signal.

The Clark County School District, which serves 300,000 students, said the policy is intended to “reduce distractions and improve student learning and performance,” according to a news release. It applies to all electronic devices.

View the full email sent to parents here.

The bags will be placed in a location that is “available” to students in case of an emergency, the school district said.

“Every minute of instruction is important to student learning, and studies clearly show that cell phones are a distraction to students,” said CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell. “Ten schools successfully piloted the cell phone cases last year, which prompted us to expand the program to all of our high schools.”

For students under the age of six, the bags are optional.

CCSD says more campus-related information will be sent to parents soon.

Generally, students put their cell phones in the signal blocking bag. Students should put their phones on silent mode, with airplane mode being recommended.

The new rule falls under CCSD’s Personal Technology and Communications Devices Policy.

The use of electronic devices is permitted at school during certain periods:

  • Scheduled feeding or lunch periods
  • School sponsored activities on all district campuses
  • Lessons with approval of the class teacher
  • Transportation by school bus

Another new rule for the upcoming school year is that students must wear an identification badge whenever they are on CCSD high school grounds.
This story was originally published by Adam Forgie on Scripps News Las Vegas.