KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – While Senate Bill 0897, which requires school systems to put a digital device policy in place, has passed through the senate, East Tennessee school administrators do not believe it is going to change too much.
Previous Coverage: Tennessee’s bill banning cell phones in class passes in Senate, heads to Gov. Lee’s desk
This bill does not ban cell phones in school buildings, rather it aims to ensure that every school district has a set policy in place to keep them out of use while students are in class, with few exceptions.
As law makers and educators acknowledge many schools already have a policy in place regarding cell phone use.
“Most school districts already had a cell phone policy in place, so it’s probably unneeded. But that being said, it’s, you know, should they use it during instructional time, unless they’re doing mathematics and their calculators on it, probably not,” JC Bowman with the Professional Educators of Tennessee said Thursday.
Below is a list of East Tennessee largest school systems’ cell phone use policies. Should Gov. Bill Lee sign the bill into law, it will go into effect next school year.
The Knox County Board of Education states that the use of all personal communication devices during class time is forbidden unless approved for an academic activity by the principal or someone designated by the principal. Improper use of personal communication devices on campus may result in the device being confiscated until it can be released directly to a parent or legal guardian.
Students in grades PreK-5 may have personal communication devices on school property as long as they are turned off and kept in a backpack, purse or similar personal carry-all. The principal or principal’s designee may expressly grant permission for a student to use an personal communication device during class time for a specific academic purpose.
Students in Grades 6-8 may have personal communication devices on campus and can use them before and after school. All personal communication devices must be turned off during school hours. Students in Grades 9-12 are permitted to use their personal communication devices during lunch periods and during class change times.
Students are permitted to use personal communication devices during the school day for educational purposes when allowed by a teacher. Devices will be confiscated if used without proper approval or if used for personal reasons. Taking photos or recording video with cell phones is also strictly prohibited. Students may use their devices before the start of the school day and when the school day ends.
Students are allowed to have personal communication devices and personal electronic devices as long as they are turned off and stored in backpacks, purses or personal carry-alls. These devices include, but are not limited to, wearable technology, such as glasses, rings, phones or watches that have the ability to record or live stream, or interact with wireless technology.
Teachers may grant permission for the use of devices to help with instruction in the classroom and teachers are encouraged to integrate devices into their course work.
Students may have personal communication devices in their possession, but they must remain powered off or on a setting that prevents audible alerts or vibrations. All personal communication devices must remain stowed away during the school day unless permitted to use them by the principal.
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