Cellphones are a major part of students’ everyday lives, but what happens when they are removed from the classroom?

At Fresno County’s Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC), students are required to silence and store their cellphones during class as part of a phone-free classroom policy that has been in place for more than a year. The goal is simple: reduce cellphone distractions, improve student focus, and encourage more face-to-face interaction in the classroom.

E-bikes and electric scooters are becoming an increasingly popular way for teenagers to get around, but their growing use is also raising serious safety concerns for students, parents, drivers, and law enforcement.

In this Education Matters story, the Fresno Police Department and local education officials discuss the importance of e-bike and e-scooter safety as more students ride them to and from school. Some e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, creating potentially dangerous situations when young riders share busy streets with cars and other vehicles.

The Fresno County Information Exchange (FCIE) is helping schools and county agencies work together to better support students and families across Fresno County.