Richmond County schools ban phones for students, and soon S.C. will, too
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Richmond County School System approved a ban on cellphones during the school day – part of a trend as some teachers find them a hindrance to the education process.
In fact, just across the Savannah River, South Carolina will be banning cellphones from classrooms statewide.
The intent of Richmond County’s policy is “to avoid distractions from learning and the loss of instructional time.”
The policy also covers smart watches, any type of headphones, earbuds and “other devices or accessories used to electronically communicate.”
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The policy bars use of these devices “at all times during the instructional day.”
High school s will have the option to allow use during lunchtime as an incentive if certain criteria are met.
The policy says the school district won’t be responsible for any lost or damaged phones brought to school and won’t investigate missing or damaged cellphones.
If students bring these devices to school, they must be turned completely off and put out of view.
READ THE POLICY:
“Emergency calls may be made in the main office,” the policy states. “Parents may their children by calling the school’s main office.”
Violation of the policy carries an escalating series of punishments. All will include confiscation and some will include in-school suspension.
The policy ed at this week’s meeting of the Richmond County Board of Education, with one member opposing it.
Across the Savannah River
A provision in the South Carolina state budget prohibits cellphone use during school hours at public schools.
The state budget also mandates that school districts need to implement an anti-phone policy in order to receive state funding.
The rule will take effect in 2025.
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Schools that don’t have a policy regulating the use of cellphones must now develop one.
The South Carolina Department of Education says this provision is aimed at boosting mental health, curbing bullying and bolstering school safety.
The Department of Education will soon be working to draft a policy.
A proviso included in the state’s FY 2024-25 budget says that in order for school districts to receive state funding, they will need to implement the policy adopted by the State Board of Education.
A legal adviser for the department sent a memo to all state superintendents at the end of June about plans for the policy if the budget ed.
The memo says more than half of the teachers they surveyed ed a complete ban of cellphones during the school day.
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