Deseret News | No more text msgs at schools?

Reader comments
No more text msgs at schools?

cjthatcher | 2:51 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Hmm, I'm in a Granite District high school with a fairly strict policy for mobiles posted in almost every classroom. Texting during class is at an all time high, because the policy isn't enforced. Will state legislation requiring districts to have a policy really accomplish anything? I do appreciate that the legislature is trying to make a difference in schools and all that, that's great gravy. I'm for the idea of making the districts have policies, sure. I just don't think it'll do too much. The headline was a little presumptious I guess.

Concerned Parent | 5:27 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I wish there would be no further restrictions on cell phone use. I have texted my child at school, asking them to meet me, and they have quickly responded. Didn't take much time out of the class for him to respond. Please leave well enough alone. Cell phone is one way to waste time in class there are others, instead, if a kid wastes time, or cheats using any method, the teacher already has authority to deal with that. No further restrictions on cell phones please.

Anonymous | 7:35 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I would hope these rules apply to the staff as well as students - its bad enough to have incompetent teachers in the class room, let alone ones that are texting as much as the students.

Comments continue below

Marie | 8:11 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

As usual many parents are falling down on the job. Why are they not checking the phone bill to see if the little darlings are texting during school hours and taking action. Sure, let's leave it to the government to raise our children.

Kevin | 8:12 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Why Do We Need A Law it sounds to me like Districts already have a policy and if they don't then apparently they don't need one let the schools del with it and not waste the law makers time with it they need to solve a lot of things like health care for the poor ect.

Anonymous | 8:18 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Hurray! It's about time. Passing this bill would be the best thing for our youth and education. It would foster accountability, honesty and better study skills.

Unnecessary | 9:07 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

So why is it necessary for the legislature to draft this sort of a law if school districts are already handling the issue? Why should we place further restrictions on the authority of our school districts?

a parent/ former stundent | 12:15 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

to concerned parent, if you need your child to meet you, why don't you check them out through the attendance office? or call the office they will send an office aid to deliver the message. if your child leaves the school with out checking out the can be disciplined for sluffing or class ditching. when i was at west jordan high the teacher was out of the class for a moment and a gal with a cell phone called the attendance office pretending to be her mother calling to excuse her absence! and the office aid brought an excuse note! for her not being at school the day before. now do you really want kids to have cell phones in school?

Marvin Wharton | 1:39 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I don't believe cell phones should be allowed in the public school buildings.
I never had one and did very good in school with out one.
I personally find it very disruptive in my world to have people talking on cell phones or appearing to be hipmotized by that little screen.

to a parent/ former student | 1:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Why don't I go through the attendence office? INCONVIENCE. Why don't adults give up e-mail and cell phones in favor of snail mail and cell phones? Can I ask that of you? Lets not take away all of our rights and priviliges by focusing only on the lowest common denominator in society.

The real problem | 1:59 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

If we stoped wasting people's mind with memorization when we have the technology to do away with the need to memorize, no one would have to cheat in the first place. Why do we have the internet and cell phones but we expect kids to memorize something you can look up in 2 seconds on the internet? Is memorization expect of you at work? How many times at work do you have to just know like the state capitals or how to spell certain words? Or how many times are you expected to do math but not use a calculator? We have technology for a reason!!!!!!!

It's called a jammer | 3:52 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

All schools need to do is buy a cell phone jammer. That way no one,including teacher, parents, and students, could send email.

Problem solved.

karen | 5:32 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Once again the legislature feels the need to micromanage the schools. Same old, same old. District policies seem to be doing just fine and they have the flexibility to adjust to new needs quickly.

feel good... | 8:41 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

They just need a feel good law. It won't have any positive effect, just added cost for the taxpayer. Who is going to police this action? The teachers are already busy teaching too many children for one class. Cell phones are a part of civilization now. Everyone needs to learn to accept it. The problems they are trying to legislate existed when I was in school WITHOUT cell phones! The problem is bored kidsï¿½ in classes too large for effective discipline. The students are not always the ï¿½badï¿½ kids, some are getting very good grades. Change the class size to 12 max and teachers could better control the class. Everyone could stay on task because everyone would have attention.

student | 10:35 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I understand why you don't want cell phones in class: cheating, being disruptive, etc. and those are good reasons. But why don't teachers just keep us students involved in class? No more boring lectures. Creativity is all it takes.

Huh? | 12:08 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

I agree with "to a parent/ former student." Why should I have to follow all those INCONVENIENT laws and procedures. Student safety is overrated, anyway. Besides, I KNOW my kid would never use the phone in her pocket where the teacher couldn't see it to pass notes, answers, or just general distractions during class. After all, good teachers can make every lesson so enthralling for each student that they would never WANT to zone out.

not again | 6:08 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Rep. Allen should know better, let the districts do their jobs, don't punish everyone because some don't already have a policy. Be a legislator not a school board member.

Dean Shareski | 9:20 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

The only visionary here is the student. When will we realize these are the tools of not only the future but today. Figure out how to use the powerful communication tools and computers (that's what cell phones are) for learning. Banning is only a reaction of short sighted people who can't figure out how to change teaching to be more engaging and authentic. How about the representative from Bountiful leave her cellphone and computer at home and not use them at the office?
There are many examples of educators using cellphones for real learning. Courtesy and manners are still required but you don't have to ban everything you don't understand. You can do better.

graynor | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Cell phone Jammers are illegal in the US

THE RISKS AND LEGALITY OF JAMMING
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the United States has outlawed the sale and use of jammers because they can in theory interfere with emergency communications between police and rescue personnel, aid in criminal activity as well as disrupt medical equipment like pacemakers.

Even though jammers are illegal, it will be pretty difficult for the FCC to catch you. Triangulating the exact position of someone with a jammer will require some fancy hi-tech tracking gear and several personnel.

However if you do get busted using a cell phone jammer, be prepared for a possible $11,000 fine. Remember, jammers are mainly intended for military or government use.

We cover the use of Cell phones and text messenging in our computer use policy. If it's enforced the problem with cell phones go away.

Alternative View | 10:32 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I agree to limitations of use during school hours, but due to recent violence in our childrens schools, it is my safety line to my son.

Mr Wharton, I too didn't have a cell phone when attending school, but I also never worried that a classmate would shoot myself or classmates in a rage of anger. It is not the same world we grew up in.

Lastly, a friend of mine recently ran into an incident where an assistant prinicpal, accused her son of using the phone in class to message friends. He was in deed guilty and was punished by his parents and he should have been. His mother caught him by reviewing his bill. The principal took the phone from him and then proceeded to sent text others from HIS phone who they assumed were students trying to get them to meet at a designated area. This is call entrapment, and just as students fail to use good judgement, so do administrators.

What about cell phone storage space in the room? Cubicles just large enough for phones, that teachers could require students to store them in during testing.

Ohio Principal | 10:40 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

...And here we are using technology to communicate with others around the country, and we are quick to criticize the students for taking advantage of technology. Email and Cell Phone calls are for us old people (30 something myself). Texting is the way of communication for the young. We don't allow cheating at our school, and we don't allow kids to text each other during class (although I'm sure many do) We have a designated area for kids with a pass out of class to use their phone if they need. Often kids will say... I know my parents are going to text me about a ride etc... is it okay if I check my messages. If it's at the end of class or before... no problem." People need to be reasonable with their rules and expectations and learn how to use technology in a courteous way, not Ban it. BTW... we also send out a text message for school closings and delays to our kids and parents if they sign up. Very useful tool.

Concerned educator | 11:10 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Texting is a distraction. Parents: quit putting off your responsibility on the teacher. We are tired of it.

Your kids don't read and don't do their work. Maybe you should re-visit if they need a cell phone at all.

Parent | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

I do NOT want cell phone use legislated!

I am a parent. My son has a cell phone. His school allows cell phone use between classes and during lunch. My son gets good grades. I don't think he uses his phone during class. I have a step-son who lives with his mom. He gets good grades. He uses his phone ALL the time. He can text without looking.

To the Concerned educator | 11:10 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007
If you are one of those lumping all parents into a category, you shouldn't. My son reads too often and he gets his homework done. I am sure you don't like it when some say teachers in Utah are all(insert negative descriptive words here)...
It is technology. It improves life if we guide it. Embrace it!

Barry Dahl | 8:20 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

This is pathetic. Those cell phones represent more computing power than the typical classroom had just 5 years ago. They can be and should be used for good educational purposes, but the vast majority of educators just don't get it (although they're starting to, hooray!).

Allow and enable the students to use those phones during school for learning purposes and watch them start paying attention - and watch them start LEARNING!! Also, try asking the students what they can do with those phones and let them teach the teachers about how to use them productively.

Gee, I wonder how many legislators text or make other use of their cell phones during legislative sessions. They sure as heck don't seem to be paying much attention. Maybe there should be a law about that!

annoyed student | 5:33 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

in my school there is a policy against cell phone use in class. Many teachers disregard this as soon as their lesson is over. It is just the same as passing notes, if you get caught doing it the teacher will take it, and if you get caught texting the teacher will take your phone. Cheating is an issue but not nesscarily with cell phones. People who are going to cheat will find any way to do that, and despite the fact that many people can text w/o looking, they can't text w/o their hands. Teachers will notice if you have your hand under your desk or in your purse for a while during a test and bust you for cheating. It is annoying that the state is wasting time on a bill that will be disregared by the people who are allready disregarding the district policies, and I don't think that this law is nesscary. So why have it?

A student in Disrict | 5:35 p.m. Jan. 17, 2008

Knowing that cell phone use in schools can be a big consequenses if the law is passed wouldn't bother me yes i do have a phone. But i do not use it in school my phone is turned off during school except at lunch when it is my break, which shouldn't be a problem since it is not interrupting anyones learing. I think that all students with a cell phone should be allowed their phone in their possession if it is off. There may be a time when a student needs their phone in case of a fire or injury etc. in school how are they supposed to contact somebody for help? So as long as the phone is off and not being a disruption to their learning or anyone elses learning and it is off they should be able to have their phone with them during class. Yes if it is disrupting class then they should pay the consequences!!

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