No phones in Beaufort Co. classrooms beginning this year. What we know for students and teachers
Following a growing national academic trend, time is up for cell phones in classrooms in Beaufort County schools.
As students return to class this semester, they will be greeted by a new decision prohibiting student use of cell phones during school hours. Teachers will start enforcing the policy on the first day of school.
The only exception to the rule allows high school students to use their phones during their lunch period. When phones aren’t being used they must be “turned off and stored in a locker, pocket, purse, backpack, or other non-visible location,” according to the policy.
The ban comes as the South Carolina Board of Education is writing a policy to be adopted statewide by public school districts. It is unclear when the state will come out with its policy; but when it does, districts must follow it to continue to receive state funds. The state policy could be more or less strict than Beaufort County’s rules.
Until then Beaufort County will operate on the regulation put out last month, which Superintendent Frank Rodriguez created after the school board directed him to research and create guidelines in May.
“One way or the other, cell phones are out,” Board Member Ingrid Boatright said.
Last year, Florida required public schools to ban student cellphone use during class time, making it the first state to implement a ban. This year, at least eight other states have considered passing similar legislation, according to USA Today.
A district survey showed that the community largely supported the measure. Out of 2,300 parents, students, community members and staff, 74% supported limitations on cell phones during school.
Terminology for Beaufort County’s cell phone policy
The guidelines are broken up into rules for non-district-issued:
Personal electronic devices, meaning computers, tablets, e-readers, video game systems, digital cameras and other devices capable of sending, storing or recording information and data.
Personal communication devices, meaning cell phones, smart watches or any other device that can emit a signal or communicate to another.
Guidelines by grade
It is also broken up into rules for elementary and middle school students, and high school students.
Elementary and middle school students can’t use either type of device during class or lunch. They can use their devices before and after school.
High school students can’t use either device during class, They can use both devices before and after school. They can only use personal communication devices, such as a cell phone, during lunch.
The Island Packet has scheduled a meeting with Superintendent Rodriguez next week to get more details about this new policy. Please send any questions you have to mdimitrov@islandpacket.com and look for answers in the story that follows.
