Should We Allow Students to Use Cell Phones in School?

At our high school, we recently reexamined our electronic use policy. In conversations during the summer, the assistant principals and I agreed that enforcing our current policy of no electronic devices during the school day was inconsistent with societal norms.

So in the opening days of this school year, we asked our students to use their cell phones and other devices responsibly. As we examine this shift in practice, we continue to ask questions. What is the best policy regarding cell phone access? How do parents feel about this issue? What are the instructional benefits?
  
—Kate Long, Principal, Twin Valley High School, Elverson, Penn. 

 

"Decriminalize" Cell Phones

In our school, we used to confiscate cell phones that students used and hold them for parent pickup. We soon realized that a student might need that phone for an emergency or to communicate with a parent. The punishment (and potential consequences) didn't seem to fit the crime.

We decided this was not a battle to fight, and we decriminalized cell phones. Now, if a phone causes a disruption, we treat it as we would any other disruption. After all, to our students (and let's face it, to us as well) the cell phone has become a virtual appendage—an essential communication tool and not necessarily more disruptive than a student tapping a pencil on a desk.

Since we rethought our policy, havoc has not reigned. Our school structure has not collapsed, and the instructional process has not suffered. We now have more time to focus on what matters: teaching and learning.

—Scott Herrmann, Principal, Gemini Junior High School, Niles, Ill.

 

Teach Cell Phone Etiquette

This past summer, we too began to question our cell phone policy. It occurred to us that everywhere else in society, we have been taught when cell phone use is appropriate. For example, church services or movie showings often start with a reminder to silence all cell phones. We realized that our students also need to be taught appropriate use.

Now use in the classroom is still off limits, but in the cafeteria or hallways, use is allowed. When students enter a classroom, they are greeted with a reminder about appropriate use. We have seen a drop in disruptions related to electronic devices, and parents have welcomed this more relaxed policy.
 
—Dave Stovenour, Assistant Principal, Dundalk High School, Baltimore County Public Schools, Md.

 

Emphasize Responsible Use

At my school, we permit students to possess cell phones in school, but we require them to keep their phones "out of sight, out of mind" during school hours. We do allow them to use other forms of technology, such as iPods or other listening devices, outside the classroom. Students understand and respect the policy.

We are doing a great deal of inservice training with our teachers (and parents) on 21st century learners, including how to use student-owned technology in the classroom as an instructional tool. In this way, we are able to emphasize the responsible use of technology by our students. The instructional benefits are significant, and we really don't have a choice but to move in this direction, knowing that students are able to access information instantly in a wireless environment.

—Andre Potvin, Principal, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

 

Each month in Educational Leadership's "Among Colleagues" column, practicing educators will draw from their own experience to share advice about challenges their colleagues face. This month's participants are some of the 2010 ASCD Annual Conference Scholars and Emerging Leaders.