Schools and Cell Phones Can Be a Volatile Mix
Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:04PM EDT
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Nowhere has the debate over cell phones in schools been more acute than in New York City, which banned phones outright last year. And if you think kids were more annoyed than parents, guess again.
The NYC council has voted, however, to allow school children to carry cell phones to and from school, a big change. Last year, cell phones were confiscated by school officials if they were found on a student, whether they were being used in school or not. Parents complained that they want their children to have phones so they can contact each other when needed before and after school hours.
The policy change in New York City is a good reminder for parents to check out your school districts' policies regarding cell phones—and other expensive gadgets, while you're at it. If kids are heading to school each day with the privilege of having a cell phone, an iPod, or other gadgets they may have tucked in their backpacks, they should be clear on what the rules are and they should follow them. School officials are wary of cell phones for good reason. Many have built-in cameras, and have been used to cheat, and, sometimes, to bully students.
Policies do vary, but most schools follow the one our school district has adopted: Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school so they can communicate with parents or guardians after school. But the phones are not allowed to be used in school, even during lunch or study halls. If a student is found using a cell phone, it is confiscated.
• The first time, she'll get it back at the end of the day.
• Second time, it will be returned only to a parent/guardian at a conference with school officials.
• Third time? Same thing, plus two Saturday detentions.
• And if there's a fourth time, count on a three-day suspension from school.
Outright bans don't really work, but the fact is, school rules are often flouted when it comes to cell phone use and it's difficult for school officials to keep tabs on every student. What's working—or not working—in your kids' school districts?
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Comments on Schools and Cell Phones Can Be a Volatile Mix
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2 Posted by jeffreytinnell on Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:19AM EDT Report Abuse
I am a high school teacher in Texas, and let me tell you, kids have really put their minds to use when it comes to using technology to cheat! They have mastered the art of text-messaging each other without being seen by the teacher during a test. It's a growing problem -- phones are now so small and so commonplace, and our school board has struggled with a policy. Parents do want their kids to have them, but our current policy forbids them in school. What actually happens, though, is basically a "don't-ask, don't tell" charade -- as long as the student isn't seen using the phone during class, or it doesn't go off causing a distraction in class, there's no effort to enforce the possession ban.
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3 Posted by ltrebl on Wed Aug 8, 2007 11:23AM EDT Report Abuse
How can you bully someone with a camera phone?
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4 Posted by hypnotist_55 on Wed Aug 8, 2007 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a student, and there is and always will be cheating. If they ban phones, then kids will find another way to cheat on tests, i see it everyday. Cellphones are just ONE way to cheat. im not sure how cell phones can bully a kid. I guess if it has a mean picture of a kid on it it could hurt peoples feelings, but if there is no cell phones, then instead of the picture being on a phone it will be on paper. if you ban cellphones on school premises, then when there is a disaster, there will be a lot of angry parents, and students. There will be a lot of "I told you so!" the way i see it, as long as the phones dont distract others in class then there is no problem.
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5 Posted by jpmayo91 on Wed Aug 8, 2007 7:39PM EDT Report Abuse
At my school, if your cell phone is heard during school time, it it taken up and you have to pay $15 to get it back.
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1 Posted by rambkowalczyk on Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:18PM EDT Report Abuse
In my school, cell phones are not be seen. They can be left in backpacks and purses all day, provided they don't make noise. The only time a phone was actually taken away, when it rang during class after the teacher told everyone to turn off their cellphones, I believe it was given back at the end of the period.