Phones in Schools? Students and Staff React to New Phone, Social media, and ID Policies Two Weeks In

September 9, 2024 – By Sophia Campbell

New Cell Phone & ID Policies Implemented in MCPS Schools

A brand new school year is in session, and with it comes a variety of changes to the status quo. The county recently unveiled two new procedures that will affect public school students throughout MCPS. From tightened restrictions on cell phone use to new personal identification policies, reactions to these procedural shifts have been mixed. This article will delve into the specifics of the policies, why they were made, and what students and teachers are saying about them.

Personal ID Policy

MCPS students and staff are now required to wear lanyards containing their ID at all times. Whether walking down the hallway or engaged within a classroom, the lanyard policy is strictly enforced by both security and faculty alike. For many, this regulation is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and difficult to adapt to as the new normal. However, its implementation arose out of concerns for student safety, particularly in regards to unwanted visitors at school.

According to a teacher at Winston Churchill High School, the institution has “had a problem within the past few years of kids from other schools or even adults coming into the building without any proof of who they are.” Two such incidents have occurred quite recently, the first in when a trespasser at John F. Kennedy High School brought a knife into the building, and the second occurred when a former student entered Richard Montgomery High School wielding a gun. Though both incidents were handled swiftly by school security and police, their occurrence could’ve been prevented altogether with tighter regulations on visitor entry. With the new policy in place, individuals are required to have their ID on display at all times, allowing security to instantly determine if they are permitted to be inside the school.

Many students have expressed annoyance and frustration at wearing a lanyard during school hours. However, although the policy has its drawbacks, it has been met with widespread understanding and acceptance. As stated by the Churchill teacher, “[The lanyard is] heavy, it’s uncomfortable, I haven’t gotten used to wearing it… but I understand why we’re doing it.” In a similar vein, a student at the school expressed their own viewpoint, saying, “I think having to wear the lanyards is kind of annoying, but I understand the reasoning behind it.”

Reception of this new policy has displayed remarkable levels of understanding from both students and faculty, despite the inconveniences posed by the lanyards. Whether the policy will continue to be strictly enforced as the school year goes on, however, remains to be seen.

Revised Cell Phone Policy

Educators across the county repeatedly complain that cell phones in class are a distraction to students’ learning. In fact, a recent survey from MCPS’s new superintendent identified cell phone use in classrooms as the number one issue concerning respondents at present. Over the years, a variety of measures have been taken to combat this, from threats of confiscation to frequent reminders from teachers. However, recent updates to phone regulation policies have made progress in addressing the issue.

This year, the county initiated a cell phone restriction pilot program at several schools throughout MCPS. At participating institutions, mobile devices must be tucked away for the entirety of the school day. Students are now required to deposit their cell phone into a caddy or cabinet when they walk into class; teachers then ensure that the number of surrendered phones corresponds to the number of students. Some even take attendance based upon who has turned in their mobile device; those who haven’t are marked absent.

This policy has been largely successful in combating students’ inattention due to cell phone use. A teacher at Winston Churchill High School views the policy as a game-changer for classroom engagement, stating, “I probably spent 5 to 7 minutes a period reminding people to put their phones away… [Now] I feel like kids are more engaged in class; they’re talking to each other… I think it’s been a really great success.” Notably, the ban is not limited solely to cell phones; it also encompasses other devices such as smart watches and earbuds. 

Furthermore, beginning on August 1, students are now unable to access social media sites while on school Wi-Fi. This policy was established in accordance with the U.S. Surgeon General’s statements on the harms of social media use. The social media and cell phone policies help to ensure a focused and dedicated learning environment for students across the county. So far, they appear to have amplified student attentiveness and engagement during class time by a significant margin.

Policy Longevity

Whether these policies will last has yet to be determined. Many students expect lenience to increase as the school year goes on; others strongly believe that rule enforcement will continue. Regardless of the policies’ future, their enactment has already had a noticeable effect across schools in the district. Improving student safety and quality of learning has always been the county’s top priority, and for now, MCPS appears to be achieving their goals in that realm.

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