Broward schools enforce complete cellphone ban during school hours
In a significant move to curb distractions and enhance student focus, Broward County School Board members unanimously approved a stringent policy banning cellphone use throughout the school day. This cellphone ban decision, extending beyond state law requirements, aims to eliminate cellphone access during both instructional and free periods, such as lunch and between classes.
A stricter cellphone policy for Broward schools
Starting this school year, Broward students will be required to turn off their cellphones or place them on airplane mode from the first to the last bell of the school day. This new regulation aims to foster a more focused and productive learning environment. The policy will be part of the student code of conduct, which students must sign at the beginning of the school year.
The school board vice chair Debra Hixon, emphasized the importance of the policy while addressing concerns about emergencies. She explained that if a phone is on airplane mode and an emergency arises, a student would still be able to quickly power the phone back up to reach out to someone. This provision aims to balance the ban's rigor with safety considerations.
To effectively roll out this new policy, Superintendent Howard Hepburn will convene a work group of principals to discuss the best implementation strategies. There is acknowledgment that some teachers might choose to collect cellphones at the start of class, which is within their rights under the new state statute.
Broward Schools' public information officer John Sullivan, noted that the policy includes provisions for teachers to collect cellphones at the start of class, as allowed by the new state statute, which grants teachers the authority to designate specific spots for this purpose. Additionally, Sullivan mentioned that teachers may still permit cellphone use for specific educational purposes, such as participating in online learning games like Kahoot.
Former teacher and current board member Sarah Leonardi expressed support for the cellphone ban, recalling the challenges of managing a classroom with cellphones in use. She highlighted the district's responsibility to provide the necessary technological resources so students don't need to rely on their phones for educational activities. Leonardi stated that it becomes the responsibility of the board and the superintendent to ensure that all the necessary technological resources are provided to the classrooms.
Cellphone ban - Addressing mental health and distraction concerns
Board member Allen Zeman, who proposed the cellphone ban, pointed out the detrimental impact of cellphones on students' mental health and learning environments. He mentioned that their findings indicate cellphones are not merely correlated with low mental health but are actually a cause of it. The board's decision aligns with a growing national trend, as other school districts across the country implement similar cellphone bans to combat the negative effects of cellphone use among students.
Broward County joins several other districts, including Orange County School District and Los Angeles Unified School District, in enforcing stringent cellphone policies. In Orange County, school administrators have been known to patrol lunch periods in golf carts, confiscating phones from violators. Similarly, the Los Angeles Unified School District recently enacted a ban on cellphone and social media use during school hours. Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho noted that phones, when coupled with social media, negatively impact young people and act as a harmful vehicle.
Indiana and Ohio have also introduced statewide cellphone restrictions, while states like Washington, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Kansas, and Vermont are considering similar measures. This nationwide movement underscores the growing recognition of cellphones' adverse effects on student well-being and academic performance.
The new policy in Broward County is expected to bring about significant changes in the school environment. By reducing distractions, the school board aims to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. However, effective implementation and adherence to the policy will be crucial for its success.
Parents should prepare for increased communication through school offices, as direct access to students during school hours will be limited. The board’s decision to include the policy in the student code of conduct reinforces its commitment to creating a focused educational setting.
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News Credit: Miami Herald
Ok so if the teachers chose to collect all the cell phones from students before class then there also going to be responsible if the phone is stolen from his or her classroom correct if the child has it and it's stolen that's the child's fault it should work both ways then