As cell phone use in classrooms faces growing scrutiny nationwide, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proposed legislation to ban phones during instructional time.

Community High School students and staff weigh in on the impact of devices on learning—and whether change is overdue. Principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek, teachers and students share their experiences with phone regulation, classroom engagement and the challenges of balancing technology in the classroom.

Editor’s Note: A version of this story won first-place in the IHSA Journalism Competition’s sectional round.