Two schoolboys sitting next to principal's office. They have different behavior and clothes.
November 18 2025 2:00PM - 3:00PM

3 Principals, 3 Issues: Cellphones, Discipline and Chronic Absenteeism

Hear how some principals are using cellphone bans, restorative justice practices, home visits and more to support students’ learning and mental health.

Photo credit: Bigstock/Artpilot

Cellphone bans, school discipline and chronic absenteeism are among the biggest issues school principals across the country are navigating this year. 

Nearly 11 million students were chronically absent last school year. Teachers continue to say students’ behavior is worse than their pre-pandemic behavior. And as of this year, more than 30 states now restrict cellphone use in school. 

How are principals implementing policies restricting cellphone use, and what’s the impact on students, teachers and the school environment? How are principals addressing student misbehavior when strategies, such as restorative justice, become politicized? And how are principals working to get chronically absent students back in class and on track?

Join the Education Writers Association on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern for a webinar exploring how school leaders address these key issues. Hear directly from principals about their strategies, the impact on student learning and engagement, and how approaches differ across schools. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask principals questions, and get a closer look at how national issues play out at the school level. 

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