With West Carrollton’s new cell phone policy and adjusting the new regulations on discipline. Students may think this is a bad decision, but it could work in West Carrollton’s favor. This policy may look just like an unreasonable rule, but how much can this help our school? 

Having our phones put away during school hours will improve the grades of our students. Having no phones limits outside distractions from social media. Our exam scores and overall school attitude will improve by watching the students of West Carrollton improve their school life. In 2023, 55% percent of high school students in school use their phones for learning. With this new policy, more students could learn from the teachers instead of from Google. Having no phones there is less chance of bullying going around online and in the school building. 

What do Scientists think about this phone rule? 

According to the Harvard Cell Phone Research Study, scientists believe that having cell phones in the classroom can affect how children learn. As mentioned in the passage above, having cell phones can negatively affect grades and test scores for the student. Researchers and scientists during the 2010 Pew Research Study think phones are a massive distraction to students. Every ring or notification that goes off makes them want to be on their phones and distract them from learning. Students who have large amounts of screen time have been known to have a harder time learning and paying attention. 

How do teachers feel about this new policy? 

When Makayla Woody, a 9-12 grade math teacher, was asked how she felt about this new policy, she replied that the new cell phone rule was good because students and teachers had a better focus on things going on around them. She also said that students have fewer and fewer distractions from social media since the policy was put in place. However, she thinks that it would be good practice for students because adults can’t always have their phones out during their future jobs and need to prioritize their work over social media. 

When observing Miss Woody’s room the students in the classroom seemed to be engaging in the work that they were given and were talking and working with each other while getting their work done with no phones in sight. 

Final Thoughts- 

Having no phones in school shows greater advantages to students’ academic performances. It’s shown to improve students’ mental health, grades, and test scores. With this policy, students are more engaged with their school work and after-school activities. 

Since I have been affected by this rule, the no phones policy has really helped my grades. With the rule, there’s more confidence in how things get done because of paying attention and really engaging in the classroom with the teacher. If our school keeps this no phones allowed rule, it will help our school and students in the long run. 

Citations

1-2010 Pew Research Study – July 9, 2023

2- Harvard Cell Phone Research Study – August 10, 2022

Interview from Makayla Woody at West Carrollton High School.