Focused Classroom Resources
Through SB178 in 2025, Utah schools flipped the standard by limiting smartphone use in classrooms. This allows local control for establishing policies that plan for emergency, health, and learning needs.
Devices in Schools Resource Toolkit
In 2025, the Utah Legislature passed SB178 – School District and Charter School Policies on Cell Phone Use, requiring every public and charter school to adopt a policy limiting cell phone use during class time. The goal is to improve student focus, engagement, and learning by reducing distractions and encouraging in-person interaction.
During the recent 2026 legislative session, Utah SB69 was passed, updating the default statewide policy to a full day focus or bell-to-bell policy.
Device Toolkit Resources
This School Device Policy Resource Toolkit provides practical guidance to help schools meet the requirements of Utah law and successfully implement effective, student-centered policies. Our aim is to make policy compliance straightforward while supporting schools in creating learning environments where students can thrive—free from unnecessary digital distractions.
Inside, you’ll find a brief overview of the law and its impact, evidence on why limiting cell phone use matters, and sample policy language for easy adoption or adaptation, implementation tips, communication resources, and sample approaches from Utah schools.
COMPLETE TOOLKIT RESOURCE: Creating Focused Classrooms: School Device Policy Resource Toolkit Document
This document includes the following information:
Utah Device Policy Background - SB 178 (2025) and SB 69 (2026)
Two Full Device Policies - Full Day Focus (bell to bell) & Structured Use (classroom only)
The following resources are included in the Toolkit Document, but are listed here for convenience:
Sample Policies
Sample Policy Language - Full Day Focus (Bell-to-Bell) - Policy language from toolkit, not including additional information or resources. Complies with Utah state law effective July 1, 2026, including the requirement for parental accommodation requests.
Sample Policy Language - Structured Use (Classroom Only) - Policy language from toolkit, not including additional information or resources.
Additional Resources for Schools
Sample Implementation Timeline: Timeline for implementing a new device policy
Sample Email Communications: Parent Policy Introduction | Student Policy Introduction | Faculty & Staff Policy Introduction | Parent Notification of Student Violation
Sample Email Invitations for Policy Advisory Committee: Parent Invitation | Student Invitation | Community Invitation
Sample Contracts & Acknowledgements: Student Policy Contract | Parent Policy Acknowledgement
Feedback Loop Resources: Creating a Feedback Loop | Feedback Survey Questions
Sample Newsletter Update: Sample messaging for LEA/school newsletter about student-owned device policies
Sample Policy Presentation Outline: Sample outline for presenting policy information to a SCC or community group
Resource Library: List of resources including tools, research, digital literacy, parent resources, and a media tracker
Evaluation & Impact Measures: Ideas on how to assess if phone policies are working and validated survey tools for students, staff, administration, and parents
Parental Accommodation Request Resources
Tools to help schools build a simple, manageable process for parental accommodation requests, as required by Utah law. The sample policies above have also been updated with language related to this new requirement.
Parental Accommodation Request Form: PDF version | Editable Google Doc version
Resources for Parents & Students
General Resources
Focused Classrooms One Pager: Information about TPP’s initiative to create focused classrooms through SB69
Utah Code 53G-7-227: Current Utah state law requiring LEAs to have a policy on student-owned device use in school
Washington County SD Device Policy Survey: Key findings from a multi-stakeholder perception survey highlighting generational differences and implementation challenges related to Utah’s classroom cell phone policy
Implementation Grant Resources for Utah LEAs/Schools
Focused Classroom Grant Announcement: Information about funding available to support device policy implementation and student engagement projects
Focused Classroom Grant Application Form: Applications due April 1, 2026
Policy to Practice Webinar: Supporting Effective Device Policies in Schools Resources
Webinar Slides: Presentation from the devices in schools webinar on Feb 19, 2026
Webinar Video: Recording of the devices in schools webinar
Webinar Notes: Summary notes from the devices in schools webinar
Conference Presentation Slides
UCET Conference Presentation Slides: Supporting Effective Device Policies in Schools Resources presentation from the March 2026 UCET conference for educators and administrators
Show Up for Teachers Session Slides: Supporting Effective Device Policies in Schools presentation from the July 2026 SUFT conference
Let us help you!
The Policy Project is here to support Utah’s schools in creating focused classrooms. Please reach out with ideas, questions, or if you just want to connect! Contact lindsay@thepolicyproject.org.