PARMA, Ohio — The Parma City School District says it is seeing the benefits of a ban on cell phone use in classrooms as Ohio legislators continue to weigh a measure that would require districts across the state to create similar policies.
"When you talk about technology in schools, it's almost been the wild west for some time," Parma Superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek says. "We all noticed the tech rapidly evolving and we wanted to embrace it. I think really in the last several years schools have come to the clear conclusion that we have to try to limit use as much as we possibly can.”
Smialek tells 3News cell phones have become a big distraction in the classroom, and a way for students to interact without anyone monitoring. According to him, administrators have seen kids use phones to do things like set up and record fights in school.
At first, it was left up to teachers to regulate cell phone use in their classrooms, but Smialek says "it got to the point where we absolutely needed to take those steps to regulate."
This academic year, they implemented a district-wide policy: Smialek says middle school students in the district aren't allowed to use cell phones at all in schools, while high school students are banned from using them in classrooms. The student handbook also states that if students need to make a call, they're required to ask for help from an adult. They also cannot use their phones to record audio or video.
"If you don't have a strict policy and you don't come out with very clear messages and then enforcing and reinforcing your expectations, then yeah, you're going to see a lot of distraction in the classroom," Smialek explained. "I mean, it's just natural. As an adult, I struggle with it during a meeting. I have to make sure I turn it over face down so I'm not looking at texts or some type of notification that comes across."
Teachers see the impact of cell phones in the classroom firsthand. Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Educators Association, told us many of the thousands of teachers they represent are frustrated.
Not only are cell phones a distraction, but DiMauro states they are often connected to online harassment and bullying. All of that puts teachers in a tough spot, he says, especially if there is no set policy in place in the school or district.
"From a teacher's perspective, it’s important that they know that there is consistency in enforcing expectations," DiMauro added. "They know they have support from the administration, that teachers aren't basically put in the position where they have to make the call and so they end up being the bad guy or the cell phone police."
The union has not formally endorsed any state legislation, but they support the push for limits at the district level.
For parents who are concerned about getting a hold of their child, Smialek says they've had to have conversations with some, but that adults have been supportive overall.
"There is an old fashioned way of getting in touch with your child, right? You call the office and leave a message for them," he said.
Smialek says in Parma, they're trying to encourage responsible use of phones, so they let students pull out their phones in between classes and during lunch. Overall, he's happy to see the state push for limits.
"Just in terms of engagement and lack of distraction, it's been a positive," he remarked. "I think it's going to be hard for a one-size-fits-all policy. I do think districts should be able to make their own decisions, but at the same timeb the state re-enforcing an expectation that it's not in classrooms, that helps us all, too."
Ohio's proposed cell phone policy comes from House Bill 250, a wide-ranging piece of education legislation that just passed the State Senate 32-0. Due to slight changes made in that chamber, it must go back to the House, but is currently seen as likely to be approved.
While the bill does not specifically "ban" cell phone usage in schools, it would require districts to "adopt a policy governing the use of cellular telephones by students during school hours." These policies must:
- "Emphasize that student cellular telephone use be as limited as possible during school hours"
- "Reduce cellular telephone-related distractions in classroom settings"
- "If determined appropriate by the district board, or if included in a student's individualized education program ..., permit students to use cellular telephones or other electronic communications devices for student learning or to monitor or address a health concern."
Furthermore, districts would not be required to outright ban cell phones, but "any district board that adopts a policy that prohibits all cellular telephone use by students shall be considered to have met the requirements" of the law. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has voiced his support for the measure, as he relayed to 3News' Maureen Kyle this week.
"Every school needs to be on record, one way or the other, about what their policy is in regard to phones," DeWine said. "I know that parents have a concern about being able to reach their children, but there's other ways during the school day for them to be able to reach their kids. But schools will be able to work this out."
The governor noted that other states have already adopted or have discussed adopting similar policies, some of which just outright banned the phones. DeWine seemed supportive of giving districts the flexibility.