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Should cell phones be allowed in school? It's an issue parents, teachers and students are talking about. Some schools already have cell phone policies in place, but soon, every school district in the state will have one.
Cell phones ring, buzz and beep, and they end up in school classrooms.
Sophomore Nicholas Anjewierden said, "I use it to text in class and stuff."
That's the problem. Educators fear students use their cell phones inappropriately, swapping pictures, passing notes, even cheating on tests.
Sophomore Axel Lundbeck said, "I think the problem is really non-existent. Most kids if they are texting, they're still paying attention for the most part. I mean, texting doesn't happen quick enough that you can't just spend three seconds texting and turn back to the teacher."
Freshman Mackenzie McMillen said, "It's not necessarily that we're texting always during class and all those things that they're paranoid about. I'm sure that happens."
That's what the State Board of Education wants to prevent by requiring every district in the state to create a cell phone policy by next spring.
Board member Debra Roberts said, "What we've created is a rule that doesn't say this will be your policy, but says you should include these things in your policy. And then maybe it would be wise to look at some of these other areas and include them in your policy as well."
It will be up to the individual districts to decide what's appropriate. Some might ban cell phones, others might just tighten up the rules.
"Bottom line is always educational attainment. It has to be things that help educational attainment take place in the classroom and not interfere with education," Roberts said.
But can an elementary school student have a cell phone at school? Can they use it at recess? What if they have a medical problem? What happens to confiscated phones? The State Board of Education's model is still just a draft, but should have answers to all of those questions when it's finished.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
