Schools seem to be on the lookout lately for new ways to ban cell phones on school grounds. Now, the federal government has gotten involved by producing a guide on how to implement cell phone ban policies. While excessive cell phone usage may cause disruptions, is the guide's promotion of cellphone bans ultimately a good thing? Is this the most effective way for teachers to reach their students?

Phone bans are now a national issue and are not localized to any state or jurisdiction. The Lento Law Firm can provide guidance if you're worried about how new cell phone ban policies could affect the education and disciplinary record of your child. Call our Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online contact form to get the help you and your child need to protect their future.

A National Guide on How to Ban Phones

The United States Department of Education is guiding schools on how to ban cell phones in a “playbook” for “student personal device policies.” The guide was published following a litany of bans across the country, ranging from school districts to entire states. With falling literacy rates and growing educational disparities, one has to wonder who exactly is setting the DOE's priorities.

Some bans that the playbook mentions include “full day” bans, in which students cannot access their phones at all during the school day. Alternatively, the playbook also supports policies for “schedule-based” bans, in which phones may be banned during the school day but allowed during bus rides home.

More Rules Inevitably Leads to More Rulebreakers

As students on their cell phones are now in the federal government's crosshairs, disciplinary action against students is bound to increase. Cell phone bans usually don't give students much leeway. A student who fails to comply with any part of the rule can face an increasingly severe escalation of disciplinary measures from their school. What might start out as simply a detention or a written warning can snowball into suspensions and expulsions that negatively impact a student's education. Even worse, many college applications require students to divulge their school disciplinary history and reject all students who have been suspended or expelled purely as a matter of course.

Despite the rush to ban phones in schools, there are many valid reasons a student might use one. Many schools now use apps such as Canvas and Blackboard for posting assignments and grades. Students often need to arrange transportation home from school. Many students work after-school jobs and need to be able to communicate with their supervisors. Strictly enforced cell phone ban policies rarely account for these legitimate uses.

The Lento Law Firm Can Protect Your Student's Education and Future

Cell phone bans produce more rules that get more good kids in trouble. How schools implement and enforce these bans varies wildly, leading to disparate treatment across the student population. You need to take action to protect your child's education.

The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has experience representing students and their parents nationwide. Call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to protect your child's future.