Cell phones present both opportunities and challenges in our schools. While they offer access to information and learning tools, they can also become significant distractions that impede learning. At Cherokee Heights Middle School, where I serve as PFO President, we’ve implemented a successful policy that has improved focus and engagement.
Understanding the Challenge
Cell phone use in schools creates several concerns:
- Distraction: Studies show students check their phones up to 150 times during a school day when phones are freely available.
- Social Media Disruption: Platforms designed for engagement compete directly with classroom instruction for student attention.
- Academic Impact: Research indicates that even the presence of phones in classrooms can reduce test scores by 6-8%, equivalent to losing 5 weeks of learning time annually.
- Reading Connection: Students struggling with reading are particularly vulnerable to phone distractions as a way to avoid challenging text.
My Approach
As your School Board member, I will:
- Support Consistent District Guidelines: Advocate for clear, age-appropriate policies that provide consistency across schools while allowing building-level implementation.
- Promote the Cherokee Heights Model: Share our successful approach where phones are stored securely during instructional time, resulting in improved focus and reduced conflicts.
- Focus on Root Causes: Address the fundamental reasons students disconnect from learning, particularly reading difficulties that make academic engagement challenging.
- Incorporate Digital Citizenship: Support education on appropriate technology use rather than simply restricting access.
- Measure Impact: Track how policies affect engagement, behavior incidents, and academic outcomes to refine our approach.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Distraction
The goal isn’t to eliminate technology but to ensure it serves learning rather than hindering it. When students experience academic success, particularly in reading, they naturally engage more with learning and less with devices. By establishing clear boundaries and expectations, we can help students develop the self-regulation skills needed for success in school and beyond.