The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) is backing a policy that would transition away from allowing cell phones in schools.
MCEA’s Representative Assembly overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution calling on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to transition to a plan that would not let students use cell phones in school except in cases of documented medical or special education accommodations.
Recently, Board of Education members listened to Away All Day and Bell to Bell, No Cell phone policies. The majority of board of education members spoke of their strong support to keeping cell phones in backpacks, purses or special compartments during classroom time.
“Like many other educators in school districts across the country, MCEA members have long understood how cell phones and other personal mobile devices can not only distract students from academic achievement but can also exacerbate mental health challenges,” said MCEA President David Stein.
“MCEA is looking forward to engaging with MCPS leadership and other stakeholders to formulate a policy that enhances teaching and learning at all levels,” he wrote in a news release.
MCEA’s resolution recognizes the need to differentiate cell phone policies based on grade level.
The teachers’ union supports fully prohibiting cell phones in elementary and middle schools while permitting cell phones only during designated times at lunch and between classes for high school students.
Justin Fauntroy, a computer science teacher at Argyle Middle School and a co-chair of the union’s cell phone policy working group observed, “I know that my students do not need to use cell phones in classrooms or between classes.” Fauntroy, who also sits on MCEA’s board of directors added, “We need students to be meaningfully engaged in classes – and with one another.”
“Change is difficult, but we know that helping our students succeed is worth it,” said Rainer Kulenkampff, a fellow co-chair of MCEA’s cell phone policy working group and a social studies teacher at Walter Johnson High School.
“It’s critical that we get this right so that we cannot only improve our teaching and learning conditions but also strengthen students’ mental health and well-being,” said Kulenkampff.
Success of the program depends on MCPS’s willingness to enforce any policy universally, according to MCEA.
A new policy is expected to start at the beginning of the next school year.
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