DC Council considers complete cell phone ban for DC Public Schools
The D.C. Council is proposing a total cellphone ban across all D.C. public schools. The legislation that would put the ban in place was introduced Monday afternoon at the D.C. Council meeting.
WASHINGTON – The D.C. Council is proposing a total cellphone ban across all D.C. public schools. The legislation that would put the ban in place was introduced Monday afternoon at the D.C. Council meeting.
What we know:
Six council members are already signed on to the bill that, if adopted, would take effect next school year.
Educators across the country have been vocal about how phones are causing major distractions inside the classroom. That’s why District lawmakers are proposing an across-the-board ban on all cell phones, tablets and smartwatches in all D.C. public schools and charter schools, K-12.
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 had a chance to speak to students at Jackson-Reed High School and the author of the legislation, D.C. council member Brooke Pinto.
“Well, I feel like cell phones, on the one hand they can be a distraction and I see why the band is being considered but also on the other hand, I feel like when it comes to gun violence in schools and stuff like that it’s important for kids to be able to reach out to their parents and be able to have some form of communication to be able to reach people outside of the school,” Jackson-Reed High School senior Eleanor Adams said.
Pinto says only one-third of DCPS students are reading at grade level and less than one-quarter are meeting expectations in math.
“Families are permitted to do what they want to do at nights and weekends and in their own time but it’s our responsibility as a government to work in partnership with our families, with our parents, with our schools to make sure that we’re setting up kids for success,” Pinto said. ” A big part of that is making sure they’re learning and focused in school and engaging with one another when they’re in the school building and you can’t do that when you’re glued to your cell phone.”
School systems across the country have imposed cellphone bans.
Here in the DMV, Fairfax and Montgomery counties are testing pilot programs. Prince William County has adopted a cell phone ban which takes effect next school year and Arlington County just implemented theirs earlier this month.
What we don’t know:
Councilmember Pinto says a few things haven’t been worked out yet, like where students’ phones would be stored during the day and who would enforce the policy. She says she doesn’t want it to fall to teachers.
