SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — High school students in the Effingham County School District will be required to keep cell phones and other personal electronic devices turned off and put away throughout the school day beginning this school year, expanding a policy already in place at elementary and middle schools.
Superintendent Yancy Ford announced the change in a video message to parents, explaining that new state legislation signed by Gov. Brian Kemp extends Georgia's classroom cell phone restrictions to high schools.
"We're not saying that our students cannot bring cell phones to school," Ford said. "But what we are requiring is that for our students that do choose to bring cell phones and electronic devices, they be turned off and put away from bell to bell instruction throughout the day."
The policy follows House Bill 1009, which Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law in May. The legislation expands Georgia's classroom cell phone restrictions to include high school students, requiring local school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from accessing personal electronic devices during the instructional day while allowing exceptions for students with medical needs or accommodations under an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
Bell-to-bell policy
Under the district's policy, students may not access personal electronic devices from the first bell beginning the instructional day until the final bell signaling dismissal.
According to the district's website, the policy is part of the district's "Maximize Learning, Minimize Distractions" initiative. No student may access personal electronics from the first bell beginning the instructional day until the final bell signaling the end of the school day.
The policy applies to cell phones, tablets, smart watches, iPads and other personal electronic devices.
Ford said the district successfully implemented the restrictions in elementary and middle schools during the past year and believes expanding them to high schools will improve both learning and student interaction.
"We can really concentrate on maximizing that instructional time," Ford said.
Building engagement
He said school leaders have researched similar policies and spoken with educators across Georgia and the nation about the benefits of limiting electronic device use during the school day.
"We are finding out that it really is good for our kids to be more engaged with each other," Ford said. "I think we all can agree that when we do put them down and we do concentrate on that engagement and spending time with each other and focusing on those interpersonal skills and those personal conversations, we do get a lot out of it."
Ford said he expects students to become more engaged in the learning process and better prepared for life after high school.
"We do feel like our students can and will be more engaged in the learning process, and they'll be better prepared for after high school and more productive in their lives," he said.
Parents asked to help
Ford also asked parents and guardians to support the new rules by discussing the policy with their children before the school year begins.
"Please communicate with your student. Continue to partner with us," Ford said. "We do feel like this change is going to be a positive change for our students."
The superintendent said the district believes the updated policy will help students stay focused on academics while reducing distractions during the school day.
Effingham County students return to class August 5.
