New London teachers sound off on student cell phone policy

New London ― The Board of Education will rely heavily on teacher input before deciding whether to amend its student cell phone policy.

The district recently solicited the opinions of middle and high school instructors on whether they were comfortable with the language in the current policy, which allows cell phones to be brought to schools, but bars their use during class time unless teacher permission is granted.

The state Board of Education recently issued recommendations that restrict cell phone use in school for elementary, middle and high school students to “ensure student engagement in learning, support emotional well-being, and strengthen students’ interpersonal skills, peer interaction, and social communication.”

Board President Elaine Maynard-Adams on Thursday said about one-third of contacted teachers have so far responded to the survey, but more responses are expected in the coming weeks.

Of the 74 responses submitted, only 11 teachers recommended changing the policy, with some calling the current rules too “vague” and others stating the policy unfairly puts the onus of enforcement on instructors.

One teacher – the survey did not identify the resondents – noted some colleagues allow students to use their phones during class, “but not for instructional purposes.”

“This creates an uneven playing field where the students see some teachers as ‘cool’ and others are too strict,” the responder wrote. “This creates an atmosphere where students are arguing to be able to use their technology because ‘another teacher lets me.’ I wish it was the same across the board.”

When asked for examples of how they control cell phone use in classrooms, teachers provided an array of examples, from allowing kids to charge their devices in a designated area or having them deposit them into pouches that can be seen, but not accessed.

While some teachers issue warnings and then confiscate an unauthorized phone, others have tried a more nuanced approach by awarding “points” or the chance to earn small prizes for following the no-phones-in-class rule.

But such strategies don’t always work.

“Nothing I have tried to date is working effectively,” one exasperated teacher wrote. “High school students refuse to put their (phones) away.”

Another teacher said they’ve had mixed results with trying to enforce the phone policy.

“Most of my class has been good about putting their cellphones away, but there are those few students who just cannot break away,” they wrote. “I am concerned, that as the year progresses, students will become unconcerned about the rules.”

Maynard-Adams said the board could discuss the policy in November. She said students spend “way too much time on their devices,” a proclivity she said can adversely affect their mental health. She acknowledged many students – and their parents – have become accustomed to having the kind of instant access cell phones provide.

“We have students that work and whose employers might need to contact them telling them their hours have changed, or others responsible for young siblings,” Maynard-Adams said. “But nothing prevents families or others to just call the school. I think people sometimes forget we have phones here to reach students.”

j.penney@theday.com