To increase focus within the classroom, Howard County Public Schools will enforce a new cellphone policy beginning March 3, which determines that students are to keep their cell phones stashed away during school hours. As reported by CBS Baltimore, the policy was adopted with a 7-1 vote by the Howard County Board of Education on Thursday, after which students will no longer be allowed to use their cellphones from the first bell to the last.
Current rules at Howard High allow students to use their phones during lunch, between classes, and in class with specific permission from their teacher. Middle schoolers were previously permitted cell phone usage solely for special events. The youngest, those in elementary school, were required to keep devices in their backpacks. Under the new policy, students will be expected to silence and store their devices to prevent them from being seen or heard, with consequences involving confiscation for noncompliance.
While the decision to restrict phone usage during school has been met with mixed reactions, the Howard County Board of Education emphasizes the goal of eliminating distractions in the learning environment. Brian Bassett, the school district's spokesperson, emphasized the intention behind the ban during an interview with CBS News Baltimore: "Can't be seen, can't be heard, and can't be a distraction." Despite parental concerns regarding communication in emergencies, the ban will still allow certain exceptions, such as for those students whose IEP 504 plans stipulate the need for cellphone use.
Meanwhile, the Howard County community is adapting to the forthcoming shift in policy. WBALTV reported that parents have expressed both support and concern. One parent, Niquita Brown, said, "In certain cases, the way that things happen at school, your kid needs to be able to notify you, and you need to be able to notify them." Yet, others, like Bryan Pax and Arnel Nerett, are on board with the new rules, acknowledging the distraction that phones can pose to their children's education. Smartwatches will be permitted, but similar to phones, they must not cause distractions, and repeat policy violations will lead to parents being summoned to pick up confiscated devices.
As Howard County enforces new cellphone restrictions, the debate over technology in classrooms is growing. CBS Baltimore reports that a bill to ban cellphone use in Maryland schools is under review. Meanwhile, other Baltimore-area school districts are still shaping their technology policies.
