It is Phone-Free Schools Awareness Week!
All week, we’re sharing why bell-to-bell policies work: the mental health benefits, the learning gains, the real connections students make when screens are away. We’re featuring Colorado educators, research, and proof that parents support this change.
Follow us on social media for research, educator voices, and success stories.
As we’ve been talking to people across Colorado about our advocacy for phone-free schools, we hear one concern consistently, “what if the unthinkable happens at my child’s school and I need to reach them?” We want to share some information we found while we were learning about phone-free schools. In this post we compiled information from school safety experts, first responders, and law enforcement professionals who specialize in school emergency preparedness.
As parents, we understand the fear. When we hear about another school emergency on the news, our first thought is: “I need to be able to reach my child.” It’s natural. And school safety experts understand precisely why we feel this way.
But they also need us to hear something critical: The phones that make us feel safer may create more danger for our children during emergencies.
Dr. Kenneth Trump is one of the nation’s most respected school safety experts. He’s advised schools after almost every major school crisis over the past two decades. He’s trained first responders, worked with law enforcement, and he’s studied what actually saves lives during school emergencies.
He says, “While the cellphone meets the emotional security needs of a parent, it can make their child actually less safe in the moment of an incident, because they’re paying attention to the phone, they’re responding. They’re sending messages, possibly even live streaming it. They’re not listening to the adults who should be trained to give them directions.”
A superintendent shared a story with researchers from the Screenagers documentary project. During an actual lockdown at his school, students immediately started texting their parents. Within minutes, he faced a new crisis, “Our first responders were arriving at the school, and we had parents lined up in our driveway, and the first responders literally couldn’t get their vehicles to our school. The driveway was backed up all the way to the street.”
School security experts, first responders, and law enforcement agencies like the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) consistently share these reasons that cell phones put our students at risk during an emergency:
1. Traffic prevents emergency response When students send frantic texts, parents rush to the school. Roads and access points get blocked, and emergency vehicles can’t get in.
2. Noise reveals hiding locations During silent lockdowns, survival depends on absolute quiet. Phones vibrate, ping, and put off light that can be seen under doors. Security experts warn that even one noise could reveal a hiding spot to someone with harmful intentions.
3. Important information gets missed In emergencies, students need to give 100% of their attention to trained adults giving life-saving instructions. When they’re texting, calling, or checking to see if friends are okay, they miss critical information.
4. Misinformation can be spread Students posting on social media during incidents can spread misinformation that causes panic or potentially give attackers information.
5. System overload impacts emergency response When hundreds of people call 911 simultaneously, they overwhelm emergency dispatch systems and first responders have a harder time coordinating their response.
If cell phones can put students at risk in emergency situations, what do security experts say actually helps? Students need to be fully present and attentive when it matters most. Students need to follow safety protocols and listen to instructions without digital distraction. Schools have communication systems, protocols, and trained staff who know how to reach families safely when it’s appropriate to do so.
None of this makes the fear go away. We live in a time when school safety concerns are ever-present, and that’s a terrible burden for all of us. But phone-free schools aren’t just better for learning, mental health, and social development, according to the people who train for, respond to, and study school emergencies, they create safer conditions when the unthinkable happens, too.
National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO)
Statement on student cell phones and school safety
Screenagers Documentary Podcast episode:
“Why School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans”
Features superintendent, police officer, and security experts
National School Safety and Security Services: Cell Phones and School Safety
Additional Learning:
Screenagers Podcast: “Why School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans”
NBC News: “Lifeline or distraction? Shooting reignites debate over phones in schools”
Washington Post: “Even after shootings, experts warn against cellphones in schools”
Schools across the country are wrestling with cell phone policies. Principals report that phones undermine student learning, fuel bullying, and escalate conflicts during school hours. But implementation matters, and there is a lot we can learn from those who have successfully implemented phone-free schools already.
We created this guide to help educators get it right.
This implementation guide draws on extensive research conducted with Phones in Focus, who surveyed more than 20,000 educators nationwide. We also interviewed principals and superintendents who have successfully implemented phone-free policies in their schools.
Their insights are clear: bell-to-bell policies work. Instructional-time-only policies do not solve the problem.
The guide outlines four proven strategies:
The guide includes information about implementation steps, cost estimates, effectiveness ratings, and staffing requirements for each approach. Schools can choose the option that fits their building layout and budget.
The guide includes a three-level consequence framework. A consequence framework should not include fees, fines, suspensions, expulsions, or the deployment of a school resource officer or local law enforcement officer.
This approach comes directly from schools that have successfully implemented phone-free policies. It holds students accountable without pushing them out of the classroom.
Recent research from Florida shows that phone bans can boost test scores by 2-3 percentiles and reduce unexcused absences. But that same study found suspensions more than doubled in the first year, with Black students bearing the brunt of disciplinary action. Schools like the one led by Alabama principal Charles Longshore show there is a better way. His school used other disciplinary approaches instead of suspension. The result: far fewer students failed their classes and students referred to summer school dropped from 80 to 20.
Longshore told Chalkbeat Colorado, that “in fact, discipline at the school improved significantly. There was less drama, Longshore said, and far fewer fights. The lunchroom got loud again with students talking to their classmates.”
Stand for Children Colorado proudly endorses Propositions LL and MM on Colorado ballots this November. These measures work together to ensure that every public school student in Colorado continues to receive free, nutritious meals at school, regardless of their family’s income. Two out of five Colorado families struggle to afford food, and for many children, school meals are the most nutritious food they eat all day.
By voting yes on LL and MM, we can continue the successful Healthy School Meals for All program, which currently provides over 600,000 free meals to students daily. Access to nutritious food leads to better attendance, improved focus in the classroom, and stronger graduation rates.
These propositions support Colorado farmers and ranchers by funding fresh, local ingredients and increase wages for school nutrition professionals. No child should have to skip lunch or worry about the cost of a meal. Vote yes on Propositions LL and MM to keep our kids fed, healthy, and ready to learn and return your ballot before Tuesday, November 4, 2025. For more information about voting in Colorado, visit the Secretary of State’s website.
We all want what’s best for Colorado students. That’s why we’re launching our work advocating for cell phone-free policies in schools across the state, and we need you to join us. Last year, we worked alongside policymakers, parents, and educators to pass legislation requiring school districts to develop policies addressing cell phones in schools. Since then, our team has continued listening to educators and families and digging into the research about phone-free schools.
The research is clear: phone-free schools give students an extra hour of learning daily, reduce bullying, and create space for authentic peer connections.
Phones are designed to distract—kids deserve classrooms designed for learning. Schools across the country, and in Colorado, are adopting “bell-to-bell” phone-free policies with remarkable results: students report less anxiety, teachers see improved engagement, and academic performance improves.
Bell-to-bell phone free policies are about creating environments where all kids have the chance to focus and grow. We know parents want to stay connected to their children during the school day—and that matters. Schools with phone-free policies have successfully worked to balance safety and communication, with office phones and clear protocols for emergencies.
The transition from 8th to 9th grade represents a significant academic transition for students. It’s a time that comes with new academic demands, unfamiliar social environments, and increased personal responsibilities.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (DMLK) in Denver Public Schools just hosted their 16th year of Freshman Academy—a program that’s been setting up incoming 9th graders for success.
More Than Just Orientation
“Freshman Academy is a 4-day summer transition program designed to welcome and prepare our incoming 9th grade students before the first day of school,” explains Assistant Principal Stephanie Hassel. “It’s more than just orientation.”
This August program goes far beyond the typical campus tour and schedule pickup. Students dive deep into understanding how high school actually works, learning about GPA calculations, transcript requirements, and graduation pathways. They participate in meaningful team-building activities, develop connections with DMLK staff and classmates, and get hands-on practice navigating their class schedules and the online platforms they’ll use throughout the year.
Students also earn elective credits toward graduation for completing the academy.
The Research-Backed Impact
And the results show this is the right approach. After 15 years of data collection, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College has compelling evidence that their Freshman Academy works. Students who participate are more likely to succeed academically, build stronger relationships with both peers and adults, and graduate on time.
“This window of time is crucial,” Assistant Principal Hassel emphasizes. “Research and our 15 years of hosting 9th grade academy shows that students who attend are more likely to be successful academically. Freshman Academy allows us to build trust, set expectations, and get ahead of potential challenges before the school year even begins.”
The confidence factor cannot be overstated. “When students walk in on day one, already knowing their teachers, their classmates, and the layout of the building, they’re more confident, and they are better prepared to succeed,” says Hassel. That familiarity breeds the kind of confidence that leads to long-term success.
What Students Really Gain
The benefits extend far beyond academic preparation. Students leave the academy with a genuine sense of belonging at DMLK. They understand the mechanics of high school—credits, GPA, and transcripts—concepts that can feel overwhelming when encountered for the first time during a busy school day.
The program also recognizes that teenagers appreciate tangible rewards. Students receive snacks, school swag, and even participate in a field trip designed to strengthen their connections with one another. Most importantly, students don’t just receive information—they get a genuine head start that makes their transition comfortable and manageable.
A Partnership with Parents
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College understands that successful student transitions require family support.
“I tell parents that this transition is big, and it matters,” Assistant Principal Hassel shares. “High school comes with new academic demands, social environments, and personal responsibilities, but with the right support, students can thrive.”
The academy represents what Hassel calls “front-loading” that support, ensuring students and families understand expectations and success strategies from day one. “We’re not just welcoming their child, we’re partnering with them too,” she explains.
When schools invest in helping students navigate that critical 8th to 9th grade leap, they’re not just supporting individual students—they’re strengthening their entire school community.
As schools across the country grapple with student engagement, the Freshman Academy model offers a proven blueprint. The transition from 8th to 9th grade will always be significant, but as Assistant Principal Hassel and her team have proven, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “9th grade academy helps us front-load that support,” Hassel explains, and the results demonstrate why this approach should be standard practice, not the exception.
Starting high school is a big step. That’s why many schools have implemented summer transition programs to give incoming 9th graders the tools, information, support, and confidence they need to succeed from day one. Over the next week, we will be sharing more about how these schools are preparing these students for success in high school and beyond.
The Center for High School Success (CHSS) has outlined key elements that make a summer transition program effective, and we’ve outlined those elements below.
1. Supportive, Prepared Staff
It’s important that the staff leading the transition program are deeply committed to the work and know how to support these incoming students. These team members receive training ahead of time and have time to plan together so they’re ready to meet students where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally.
2. Smart Use of Resources
Great programs make the most of what’s available—whether it’s district funding or partnerships with local organizations. A clear, thoughtful budget helps make sure students get what they need, from quality instruction to meaningful activities.
3. Focused Learning
While summer programs shouldn’t feel like summer school, they do include learning. A strong program gives students a jumpstart in key areas like math and English while helping them understand what’s expected in high school. Some programs even offer students a chance to earn credit, which builds momentum going into 9th grade.
4. Social and Emotional Support
High school brings more than academic challenges. That’s why summer programs should also help students build skills like confidence, time management, and goal setting. Programs often include counselors or social workers to support students’ emotional well-being and make sure they feel seen and supported.
5. Use of Data to Guide Support
Before the program even begins, strong programs look at data to understand what students need most. Then, they keep checking in—using simple tools to see how students are doing and adjust along the way.
6. Involving Families from the Start
Parents and caregivers play a huge role in student success. Great programs make sure families are included from day one—offering orientation sessions, clear communication, and ways to stay involved throughout high school.
7. Building Community
One of the biggest benefits of a summer program is the chance for students to make connections. Activities that build friendships, introduce students to school staff, and make the high school building feel familiar all help ease the transition. Students also get to explore clubs, sports, and other extracurricular opportunities that can make high school more fun and meaningful.
A strong summer transition program isn’t just about preparing students for schoolwork—it’s about helping them feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive. When schools invest in this kind of support, it pays throughout a student’s high school experience.
9th grade isn’t just another year—research shows it’s the make-or-break moment that determines a student’s entire high school trajectory. How schools support students navigating ninth grade sets the trajectory for everything that follows
This webinar is for everyone who cares about student success:
Together, we’ll explore:
When it comes to high school success, we all have a role to play. And it starts with understanding why 9th grade matters most.
We’re thrilled to welcome Jen Gallegos as the new Southwest Regional Director for the Center for High School Success (CHSS)! Jen steps into this role following the powerful legacy of Judith Martinez, whose leadership shaped our Southwest work with care, vision, and integrity. As Judith begins a well-earned retirement, Jen is ready to carry that work forward, and take it even further.
Jen brings over 20 years of experience in Colorado education, with roles ranging from teacher and principal to Director of Student Discipline and Truancy for Jeffco Schools, overseeing 155 campuses. Most recently, she advanced statewide discipline, attendance, and 9th grade success efforts with the Colorado Department of Education. Her leadership is deeply rooted in equity, collaboration, and systems-building that lasts.
Learn more about the work of the Colorado Center for High School Success here.
Our Early Literacy website has been refreshed to better serve families, educators, and advocates across Colorado!
What’s new?
Whether you’re a parent seeking support or an advocate pushing for stronger literacy outcomes, this updated hub is your go-to guide.
Now that we’re in summer mode, it’s especially important to keep literacy skills sharp. The site includes practical tips and tools to help ensure your student doesn’t fall behind while school’s out. Check it out today!
