Montgomery County Public Schools will update its student cell phone policy to include a stricter ban for high schoolers.
During the past school year, elementary and middle school students had to keep their phones off and away during the entire school day. High school students, however, could use their phones during lunch and between classes, according to MCPS. The policy also applied to tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.
A challenge was that high schoolers could just step out of the classroom to use a phone, said Peter Moran, MCPS Chief of School Leadership and Improvement, told councilmembers during a committee meeting this week.
When the new school year starts next month, MCPS will go “bell to bell” with no cell phones in all schools, including high schools.
Students need more information
Moran said a lot of staff and parents are educated on the implications of screen time and the impacts on the brain and learning. But he said the school system and community need to give students more information.
“We’re telling children to regulate themselves without any understanding for why they would or why they would not,” Moran said.
Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the council’s Education and Culture committee, noted phone restrictions showed improved focus but also increased stress and anxiety related to not having access to devices.
And the recent budget cut mental health supports in schools.
“That’s something that I just think we just need to be aware of, particularly in the high schools,” Jawando said.
How the cell phone policy works
Under the policy that began last school year, MCPS uses “cell phone cubbies” in classrooms where students can store their phones. There are also locking pouches that students keep with them or retrieve at the end of the school day. Moran said some schools preferred cubbies, while others preferred pouches.
Schools can allow limited cell phone use during class if it supports instruction. Students across all grades can use their phones before and after the school day and on school buses.
Students with disabilities who have support plans that allow phone use will continue to have that access.
