Ethics and Issues in Education

EDUW 695
Chippewa Falls, WI

Saturday, October 5, 2013



Julie Rollins

Contemporary Legal Analysis
issue in education caused by technology





Issue: Cell Phones in an Elementary School Environment

More and more children today own a cell phone. Cell phones are being given to children at a
younger and younger age. At our elementary school, we see students in sixth grade down to
third grade with cell phones. The parents are giving their children cell phones for a variety of
reasons. As a parent, I do know that there is a sense of safety and security that goes along with
knowing that your child can call if they are having any type of problem. I do understand the
reasoning behind the purchase of a cell phone for a child. The problem is that students have
their cell phones out as they are walking down the hallways in school, and they are even taking
them out to recess with them. Children see adults who rely on cell phones as a huge part of
their daily life, and they dont know the role of a cell phone for their life as a student/child. This
creates an issue in our elementary schools. What disciplinary actions are fitting and
appropriate to take when a student has their cell phone in class, in the hallways, or at recess?
The written policy of our elementary school in Marshfield states that electronic devices are
permitted in the buildings but may not be turned on or used during the school day. This policy
is quite general, and doesnt address the issue of what to do when the student is using the cell
phone at school. It is very difficult to implement any consequences for cell phone use with this
policy. In the past, teachers have been directed to make their own decisions based on the
particular situation. This can put the teacher in a very difficult position when the parent
questions that teacher-made decision. This year, our principal has supported a fourth grade
teachers choice to require a parent pick up the cell phone from our office after a student was
given two previous warnings about having his cell phone at recess; however, nothing states that
this is our schools plan of action. I strongly believe that our elementary school needs to
develop and write a policy regarding cell phone usage and the consequences. Many of our
students bring a cell phone to school, and we are going to see more and more students with
cell phones as technology continues to explode in our society.
After researching a few different policies of comparable elementary schools in our area, I
learned that our elementary handbook policy regarding cell phones is not much different than
other elementary schools. The handbook of the DC Everest Elementary School states all
electronic devices should be left at home. We cannot be responsible for items brought from
home. Their elementary school simply states that students shouldnt even bring them to
school. One of the elementary schools in Wisconsin Rapids has the policy that, students may
have their phone in their backpack, and they must have the cell phone turned off during the
school day. Although these written policies of elementary handbooks did give general
statements regarding bringing a cell phone to school, they do not address the plan of action if a
student does have a cell phone on during the day.
As I looked further into policies of junior high and middle schools, some of the policies were
more specific to this issue. The policy of the Appleton School District states that the cell phones
should be in a locker and turned off, but it also goes on to say that principals are authorized to
establish school rules and acceptable guidelines for limited, non-disruptive use of an electronic
communication device during the school day in the school building. So the policy addresses
the issue, but places the responsibility on individual principals. The handbook of the DC Everest
Jr High had a much more specific policy which clearly states the rule and the consequences of
cell phone usage. Their policy allows students to possess and use electronic communication
devices (ECD) on school grounds provided that the devices do not disrupt and interfere with
individual learning. It also has a very specific plan of action for when a student violates the ECD
policy. All offenses will result in immediate confiscation of the device. Parents will have to
pick the device up in the office. 1
st
offense is a warning. 2
nd
offense is a detention. 3
rd
offense
is directed study. And 4
th
offense is that the student is subject to further consequences under
student conduct. The policies of the junior high and middle schools certainly are more specific
to what to do when a student does use a cell phone during the school day.
After reflecting and researching this issue regarding cell phone usage, I did discover that our
elementary policy is not the only one that is very vague and general. I do believe that our
elementary school in Marshfield needs to revise this policy so that it more directly addresses
the issue of cell phone usage in schools of today. The fact is more students will be bringing cell
phone to school, and we need to have a plan of action in place. Both students and parents
need to be aware of the specific rules and consequences with cell phones in school. It seems
that the policies written at the junior high and middle school level need to be implemented at
the elementary level in the technological world of today.