Jasper Winterton
Feature Editor
“State involvement was an absolutely necessary piece,” Todd Schaefer, theater teacher, said about the new state law banning phones.
The law has required restrictions on personal devices throughout all Missouri public schools. There was a similar policy enforced throughout the Webster Groves High School last year where students were required to put their phones in caddies during classes but could have them at lunch and in between classes.
The policy under Senate Bill 68 (Section 162.207) states, ”Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, each school district and charter school shall adopt a written policy regarding students’ possession or use of electronic personal communication devices. Such a policy shall be designed to promote students’ educational interests and ensure a safe, effective working environment for staff and volunteers. The act defines an ‘electronic personal communications device’ as a portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images or data electronically.”
According to the policy, “Exceptions may allow device use in emergencies, as defined in the act, or for authorized educational purposes. The policy shall be published on the school district’s or charter school’s website, and school employees or volunteers shall be immune from liability if they act in good faith and follow the policy’s disciplinary procedures.”
Schaefer said the updated policy was necessary and that he calculated the increase in content covered in his classes, which turned out to be a 20% increase under last year’s policy.
Charlotte Snell, senior, said, “I think (the phone policy is) way too restrictive compared to last year. I think last year was fine. I know some people weren’t following it, and I think we could be more serious about the caddy thing, but this is too much.”
According to a study done by Pew Research, 74% of adults support banning cell phone use in class, and 44% support banning them throughout the entire school day.
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Jasper Winterton-Feature EditorThis will be Jasper Winterton’s first year on ECHO staff. He made several contributions while taking journalism class his freshman year. |
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What “teeth” is in that law restricting phone use at school? I work at a school that had a ban on classroom phone use before it was a state law. The kids still use them anyway, they are sneaky.