Salem, Oregon – A new legislative plan in Oregon has caused controversy among teachers, parents, and children. Extending from the morning bell to the end of the last period, House Bill 2251 seeks to ban students’ use of cell phones throughout the school day. This covers lunch breaks and passing times, so stretching the limits of current policies some districts have implemented on their own.
Having received bipartisan support, the measure just went through the House Education Committee and is now on its way to a vote to the full House. Supporters of the measure say that the widespread use of cell phones in classrooms diverts attention from education and helps cyberbullying and the distribution of inappropriate content.
All school districts in Oregon would be compelled to apply this ban consistently under the proposed law. Students who might want their phones for urgent reasons, such as medical needs or IEP modifications, are exempt from this rule. Though the bill itself does not specify any direct financial effects or offer more enforcement money, the measure states that any district not enforcing the prohibition would be classified as non-standard, which could affect public opinions and maybe affect funding decisions.
The reaction to the proposed ban varies. The new law would just strengthen current laws in districts like Portland Public Schools, where a cell phone prohibition is already in effect. In places without such bans, meanwhile, it has stirred debate since some parents feel that access to cell phones during the school day is necessary for safety and contact with their kids…