Cell phone use and reading survey

 A recent survey of 900 school librarians and educators across the country revealed that mobile device policy that banned cell phone coincided with 2/3 reporting more visual engagement with books in classrooms, increased library circulation, and more independent reading during free periods. Full bans, especially those who used physical storage methods, outperformed looser "off and away" approaches, particularly in high schools. 

Yurio, K. (2026. July 23). SLJ survey: Cell phone bans boost reading, library use. School Library Journal. https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/SLJ-Survey-Cell-Phone-Bans-Boost-Reading-Library-Use 

Primary Student Reading Study

Early reading readiness among students in kindergarten through second grade has stagnated, with 34% performing below benchmark, according to Amplify's recent data from mCLASS DIBELS tests. The study, which evaluates 350,000 students across 43 states, shows that while kindergartners maintained last year's levels, proficiency among first- and second-graders slightly declined, particularly in oral reading fluency.  Modan, N. (2026). Progress paused: What end-of-year data reveal about early literacy in grades K–2. Amplify. https://amplify.com/pdf/uploads/2026/06/mCLASS_EOY_Report_072426.pdf

Student Technology Use Study

 “The vast majority of US public schools now issue devices to every student, according to a 2025 National Center for Education Statistics survey. A new found students putting away their phones didn’t seem to meaningfully improve learning outcomes,.probably because schools are giving students other forms of technology to replace their personal devices, despite a wide body of evidence showing that educational technology generally makes it harder for students to learn. Students who use computers more perform worse academically, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath documented in his book, ‘The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning — And How To Help Them Thrive Again.’ These results show up in numerous reliable international standardized tests, Horvath explained in congressional testimony.” 

Allcott, H. et al. (2026). The effects of school phone bans: national evidence from lockable pouches. National Bureau of Economic Research.