State lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday from educators on how student cellphone use affects the school day and whether Pennsylvania should adopt a uniform, statewide policy.“It distracts them from learning,” said Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. “They can’t compartmentalize the pings and dings that are going on.”Concerns about a “one-size-fits-all approach,” however, also surfaced. “A one-size-fits-all mandate risks unintended consequences,” said Michael Vuckovich, superintendent of the Windber Area School District. “Districts must have the flexibility to choose the tools and strategies that make sense for their schools.”Students and parents described both benefits and drawbacks. “It was distracting,” said student Alayna Lindsey. “But sometimes it helped, though, because it was something for me to use if I needed to look something else up.” Mike Donovan of Lower Burrell emphasized safety. “Cellphones in school can be good in case of an emergency for notifying parents or others in the family,” he said.Policies already vary widely across districts. In Woodland Hills, every student turns in their phone, with procedures differing by grade. Pittsburgh Public Schools said cellphones are banned in classrooms across the district, though exceptions exist.Superintendent Raymond Omer, who testified, says he oversees two very small rural schools in Mercer County, with two different approaches to cellphones. In one school, students and their families agreed: no cellphones in class. In an emergency, they can use the office phone. In another, they wanted immediate access in an emergency. “We talk about what I call the bubblegum approach at West Middlesex,” said Omer. “We do allow them in the hallways and transitioning to periods. Thankfully, we only have three minutes between periods, so there’s not a lot of time for them. We do allow them at lunchtime at West Middlesex, and we also allow it for an academic purpose under the direction of a teacher in both school districts.”The hearing is part of a broader discussion over proposed legislation that could standardize rules — and carve-outs — statewide, balancing classroom focus with safety and local discretion.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
State lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday from educators on how student cellphone use affects the school day and whether Pennsylvania should adopt a uniform, statewide policy.
“It distracts them from learning,” said Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. “They can’t compartmentalize the pings and dings that are going on.”
Concerns about a “one-size-fits-all approach,” however, also surfaced.
“A one-size-fits-all mandate risks unintended consequences,” said Michael Vuckovich, superintendent of the Windber Area School District. “Districts must have the flexibility to choose the tools and strategies that make sense for their schools.”
Students and parents described both benefits and drawbacks.
“It was distracting,” said student Alayna Lindsey. “But sometimes it helped, though, because it was something for me to use if I needed to look something else up.”
Mike Donovan of Lower Burrell emphasized safety.
“Cellphones in school can be good in case of an emergency for notifying parents or others in the family,” he said.
Policies already vary widely across districts. In Woodland Hills, every student turns in their phone, with procedures differing by grade.
Pittsburgh Public Schools said cellphones are banned in classrooms across the district, though exceptions exist.
Superintendent Raymond Omer, who testified, says he oversees two very small rural schools in Mercer County, with two different approaches to cellphones. In one school, students and their families agreed: no cellphones in class. In an emergency, they can use the office phone.
In another, they wanted immediate access in an emergency.
“We talk about what I call the bubblegum approach at West Middlesex,” said Omer. “We do allow them in the hallways and transitioning to periods. Thankfully, we only have three minutes between periods, so there’s not a lot of time for them. We do allow them at lunchtime at West Middlesex, and we also allow it for an academic purpose under the direction of a teacher in both school districts.”
The hearing is part of a broader discussion over proposed legislation that could standardize rules — and carve-outs — statewide, balancing classroom focus with safety and local discretion.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
