In a bid to clamp down on classroom distractions and growing violence, Brockton High School is enforcing a stricter cellphone policy, requiring students to secure their devices in lockable pouches during school hours. The measure was unanimously passed by the Brockton School Committee, according to statements obtained by Boston 25 News.
Amid staffing shortages that have left students crammed in cafeterias and classroom chaos rampant, Brockton High, the largest public school in the state, is reeling from violent incidents. One such fight resulted in a staff member being injured on Monday, a tumultuous backdrop that had committee members considering invoking the National Guard, as reported by Boston 25 News. The policy restricts students from using their phones during the day, with their personal devices turned off and secured every morning in the pouches which they will keep with them until dismissal.
"The policy was approved unanimously Tuesday and will be implemented in the coming months," stated Jordan Mayblum, a spokesperson for the Brockton Public Schools, in an interview with Boston 25 News. The school is currently in the process of obtaining the necessary pouches, with each student being responsible for their own,
Educators at the school have previously voiced concerns for their safety, highlighting frequent student aggressions and a $14 million shortfall in the school's budget. A high number of teacher call-outs and a dearth of substitutes have resulted in academic disruptions, as detailed by The Boston Globe. Mayblum highlighted administrative intentions "to work closely with teachers and incorporate their feedback to ensure the policy is effectively implemented," which acknowledges that only a small percentage of students are stirring most of the disturbances.
Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, underscored the issues with distractions stemming from cellphone use, stating to The Boston Globe, "It's very distracting for students. Especially during classroom time — let's not get distracted with all the communications." Schools across Massachusetts are adopting similar measures to rein in the impact of smartphones and social media on the learning environment. Aside from Brockton, almost 50 schools in the state have already partnered with Yondr, the company providing the phone-locking pouches, to mitigate device-induced disruptions.
Brockton School officials have also discussed recruiting volunteers to provide additional support within classrooms. These new volunteers will be instrumental in assisting teachers and addressing disruptive behavior, as part of a broad strategy to restore order and recapture a conducive learning atmosphere.
