When students are not using their phones during classroom time, they tend to engage in classroom discussions and with their classmates more, according to a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pilot study.
That was the verdict of teachers, students and families, according to a presentation Thursday to the Board or Education (BOE) about the possibility of limiting the use of cell phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches, ear buds and earphones during the school day.
Therefore, MCPS seemed ready to adopt either an Away All Day or Bell to Bell, No Cell policy with the start of the new school year.
Rockville High School Principal Rhoshanda M. Pyles said she believes schools must teach students to be digitally responsible and how to be in control.
Rockville was the only high school participating in the pilot program.
“Over 70% of my staff said cell phones are an issue,” she told BOE members. There is no question that cell phones are a distraction. The question is “what do we do about it.”
It would be virtually impossible to have an Away All Day policy as students most likely would use them in lunch and between classes when fewer staff members are there to enforce a ban.
Instead, her school adopted a no personal devices policy beginning at the tardy bell to the dismissal bell when students are in class. Their phones and other devices need to be stowed away in a backpack or purse otherwise.
Rockville has pouches where students who don’t follow the rules must store their device until the end of the school day. But she reported that only 168 students were made to put their phones in a pouch so far this school year out of a total of 1,563 students.
“I think that’s pretty good,” she said.
She said students at Churchill and Northwest High Schools also use the Bell to Bell, No Cell policy and must place their phones in cubes, storage bins or pocket holders if they pull them out during class time.
The easiest way to keep students from checking social media or texting people during the school day is for teachers to enforce a consistent policy that all students must follow, according to results of the survey.
The lack of phones creates “an improved learning environment,” and a decrease in both hallway traffic and skipping of classes, Pyles said, adding, “That’s huge.”
Pyle Middle School Principal Christopher B. Nardi said his school has had a no phone policy for years. It follows the Away All Day plan.
When students abuse the rules, their device is taken to the office, where they can have it back at the end of the school day. If this happens three times, a parent must come to school to retrieve the phone, Nardi said.
In emergencies, students understand they can come to the office and use a phone there. Nardi noted it can be amusing to see students encounter their first land line phone.
Banning personal devices works, Nardi said. “I think there is a want for this.”
In about a month, the results of the pilot program will be released to the BOE. A final report will be presented in May. However, BOE members will not vote on the policy recommendations. It will be up to school staff to choose what’s works and how best to enforce it.
School Board President Julie Yang praised the phone restrictions, noting, “When we try to teach good eating habits, we don’t surround them with junk food.” She added, “I feel we need to act with common sense and with urgency.”
School Board Member Karla Silvestre said keeping phones out of school is important for students’ health. MCPS should all speak with one voice, she said.
There are exceptions to phone bans, including for medical needs.
