We are continuing to summarize the on-going work of the DPS Communication Devices Advisory Committee (CDAC). Below is a summary of key discussions and themes from the February 24, 2026 meeting.
Public Comment Highlights
A parent spoke in support of a bell-to-bell phone-free approach, emphasizing that during emergencies families should communicate through the school’s front office rather than student cell phones. Research and school safety guidance were referenced noting that phones can increase confusion, noise, and misinformation during emergencies. The speaker also shared a desire for students to remain attentive to educators throughout the school day.
Community Engagement
The district reported receiving 385 responses to the community feedback form, demonstrating strong interest and engagement from families and community members.
Student Perspectives: Benefits & Concerns
Students acknowledged that limiting phone use could lead to increased attention and focus in classrooms, stronger academic honesty, improved peer connection and community building, and greater engagement in learning that could ultimately support improved grades. At the same time, students expressed concerns about reduced communication with parents during emergencies, potential impacts on students who rely on technology for creative or alternative learning styles, worries about being less prepared for technology use in future careers, and fears that restrictive policies could alienate students or negatively impact their sense of belonging.
Fishbowl Exercise Highlights
During the fishbowl exercise, committee members engaged directly with students to better understand their experiences and perspectives. Students emphasized a strong desire for autonomy and described a deep sense of identity connected to their phones as tools for communication, organization, and daily planning. Safety and communication remained central themes, and many students shared feelings of anxiety about losing access to their devices during the school day. Students also expressed that consistent expectations across all schools would feel fairer and easier to follow. Many welcomed the idea of digital citizenship and technology literacy education, acknowledging that while phones may be limited at school, students still navigate digital spaces outside of school. Conversations also surfaced differences between normal classroom distraction and digital distraction, with recognition that instruction-only policies often result in inconsistent enforcement from classroom to classroom.
Policy Language Discussion
Small groups began discussing how policy language should be framed, focusing on creating clear expectations, ensuring consistency across schools, and balancing student wellbeing, learning environments, and communication needs.
Next Steps
The community feedback form will remain open through February 27, and committee members will review additional resources ahead of the next meeting on March 10, 2026. The committee will continue working toward final recommendations to the Board of Education, which are expected to be presented in April.
There is still time to sign up to give public comment at the upcoming CDAC meeting. Register here.
We’ll continue to monitor CDAC’s progress and share updates as the conversation moves forward. As always, thank you for staying engaged in this important work for DPS students and families.
