Technology, education clash

By John R. Griffin

Parents should take some extra time to read the county's "Student/Parent Information Handbook” for the 2008-09 school year, and especially the new changes to the student code of conduct.

At the July 14, school board meeting, a revised code of conduct, which included a reworded section regarding the possession of cell phones by students during the school day, was approved.

The fact that students are not authorized to have cell phones on their person during official school hours is not new, but the “accompanying consequences” that can be administered have significantly changed and seem to be a bit severe.

Almost two decades ago, many school systems and states prohibited students from carrying and using cellular phones. A few states, including Virginia, lifted their bans in response to the widespread use of cell phones by adults and their children. These states now allow school districts to draft their own policies.

After several disastrous events throughout the U.S. — shootings at numerous schools and the 9/11 tragedies — parents began to insist their children carry cell phones in case of danger and/or emergencies.

There are compelling arguments on both sides of this issue, ranging from class interruption, cheating, and camera phones in gym lockers, to parents wanting/needing to be in touch with their children in times of emergency.

In 2002, Georgia State Sen. Richard Marable, chairman of the education committee, noted that, “Times change; there are certainly a great many parents now, and I am one of them, who rely on electronic devices to keep track of their children. Certainly we can protect the educational integrity of students and still utilize technology.”

Perhaps we should consider a middle ground solution that can be reached without the severe consequences for simple possession.

The revised code states that “If a student possesses such a device, in addition to other disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed, the device may be confiscated from the student and returned only to the student’s parent.”

Under the section entitled “Conduct Violations and Accompanying Consequences,” paragraph 1 states “A student’s failure to follow published school rules may result in a maximum of three days suspension from school.”

Paragraph 2 states that possession or use of cellular phones (and other items) “may result in up to a maximum of five days suspension from school.”

This so-called misconduct is included in a list that includes stealing, larceny, petty theft, maliciously cutting, defacing or otherwise damaging school property, fighting, skipping school and several other offenses.

In addition to the consequences listed in paragraph’s one and two, students in grades 9-12 will be excluded from participation in and attendance at all extracurricular and co-curricular activities for up to 20 calendar days.

The suspension lengthen for subsequent violations.

My knowledge of the possession/use of cell phones during school hours over the past five years indicates a somewhat haphazard approach by school employees in the enforcement area.

The vast majority of instances have resulted in the confiscation of the phones and having the parents come and pick them up at the end of the day. The actions by school employees vary from school to school and teacher/administrator.

I don’t think having a phone on your person (in your pocket, purse, book bag) should constitute a violation.

If a student is caught taking pictures of exams or using it in a locker room for inappropriate purposes, then these are very different situations.

How does the school handle any student caught cheating on an exam, whether the use of a camera phone is used or not? How does the school handle any student taking pictures in the locker room with a regular camera?

There have been rules, regulations and consequences for these type of offenses for years.

The vast majority of our students are good kids and are willing to follow the rules in terms of usage. To impose this level of consequence for simply possessing a cell phone during school hours goes beyond comprehension.

I’m sure school board members and the superintendent would welcome parental input in an effort to resolve the impending clash between the use of technology and education.

Griffin is a retired U.S. Navy cryptologist and a community activist.