It’s been a few months since a cell phone policy went into effect at Lancaster High School and it appears that the many students seem to be adapting fairly well to the new policy. According to an Eye of the Gale poll of more than 300 students, the majority indicated that the new cell phone policy is at least somewhat effective. Recently, the State of Ohio issued a new requirement for schools to have a cell phone policy as research indicated that cell phones distract from student learning. Basically, the LHS cell phone rule requires that students put their cell phones away during class instruction.
The poll suggested that 37% of voters said that the policy is working somewhat. 23% said that the policy in not effective, 15% said it was effective, 13% very effective and 12% extremely effective. The overall poll of students suggests that the new cell phone policy appears to be at least somewhat effective.
LHS principal Scott Burre explained that, although it is too early in the school year to know how the new cell phone policy is affecting academic learning, he believes that the no cell phone rule is a positive change.
“The policy will always work as long as the students and staff follow it as closely as possible. As with anything, some [students] listen a lot better than others. We have given more cell phone consequences than in the past,” said Burre.
Burre also noted that students don’t have too much difficulty following the rules when teachers and staff reinforce them.
U.S. History teacher Andrew Cline believes that the policy is working on a big scale as more students are paying attention during teaching than he saw in the past.
“Students that are not distracted by their devices always did better in my class. So, by taking away their phones, they are more likely to succeed. I am seeing more students who want to put their head down now than I have in the past. I believe this is just to ignore school as a whole,” said Cline
“For the most part students seem to respect the rules. As they will with any rule, they push the limits. I normally tell students right as the bell rings that they need to put devices away. In past years, I would have continued to see phones out during class time. This year I see less,” said Cline.
LHS sophomore Taylor Randolph said that she while she is neutral with the policy, she has experienced some positive outcomes.
“I’m focusing a lot better, because despite the fact I may occasionally be tempted to go back and get on [the phone,] over time I’ve adjusted to not being able to,” said Randolph.
LHS freshman Constance Glenn expressed similar emotions.
“It feels fine to not be able to use my phone because I don’t need it to get through the day. I do miss being able to listen to my own music in class though. School days were different before because when I got finished with my schoolwork, I could use my phone. Now I have to find other things to do in my free time,” said Glenn.
LHS freshman Ramsey Lopez he thinks the no cell phone policy is a positive change, especially during classroom instruction.
“In my own opinion, not having or using a phone throughout the day isn’t as bad as some people would make it out to be. The school days would feel relatively the same regardless if I could use my phone or not. Though, without my phone, the day seems a lot less distracted,” said Lopez.
While many students are unhappy about the new cell phone policy, Ramsey said that because cell phones are allowed during certain parts of the school day, it seems to be a civil compromise.
“On the topic of agreeing or disagreeing with the ban, I do indeed agree with the ban as, so far. Other students’ grades have been improving, most likely due to the fact they work without any disruptions due to a phone. In addition, this ban only applies to academic classes. This means lunch and study hall periods, as well as the five minutes in between classes can be spent using your phone,” said Lopez.
