School cell phone ban bill introduced in Michigan House
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan House Republicans have reignited efforts to require public schools to crack down on students' use of cell phones, but it remains unclear where these efforts will lead.
was introduced last Wednesday and specifically proposes restricting students' use of anything capable of text, email, internet access, voice communication, entertainment, or navigation. These restrictions differ based on student grade level:
Students in grades K to 5 would be fully prohibited from having these devices on school grounds.
Students in grades 6 to 8 are allowed to have them on school grounds but can not use them during instructional time, breaks between instructional time, lunch, or recess.
Students in grades 9 to 12 would be banned from using them during instructional time only.
A potential school cell phone ban was considered during the previous legislative session, but nothing was ever signed into law. This time, while the bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, no hearing dates have been set for lawmakers to get the ball rolling.
State Rep. Mark Tisdel, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill, says forcing students to check their devices at the classroom door will improve test scores and cut down on bullying and other mental health issues.
A major obstacle to the bill? Safety concerns. Parents are worried that if their children's schools were targeted by an active shooter, they would not be able to contact them. However, while Tisdel sympathizes with these concerns, he claims children are actually safer if their parents are not on the phone with them.
'How does that enhance your child's safety?' says Tisdel. 'You want your child's focus on the trained teacher at the head of the classroom.'
The effort failed last year, but Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is on board. Several schools in Mid-Michigan have moved to restrict cell phone usage independently of any legislation, including Lansing School District, East Lansing School District, and Williamston Community Schools.
44% of all schools have some policy in place for both middle and high school students.
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