[ti:US States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools]
[al:Education Report]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-07-24]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions in high schools.
[00:07.62]The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom.
[00:14.17]In July, Virginia became the latest in a growing number of U.S. states to restrict cell phone use in public schools. 
[00:25.68]The state's governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order to establish guidance and policies for local school systems to follow by January.
[00:39.72]Youngkin's order said, "Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades."
[00:52.13]It also cited an "alarming mental health crisis" among young people driven by the use of cell phones and social media.
[01:04.69]Last year, Florida became the first state to restrict the use of cell phones in school. 
[01:12.56]A law that took effect in July requires all Florida public schools to ban student cell phone use during class time and block social media on the school's wi-fi.
[01:31.53]The states of Indiana and Ohio passed their own laws this year.
[01:37.59]Several others, including Oklahoma, Vermont, and Kansas, have also recently introduced what is being called "phone-free schools" legislation. 
[01:52.26]New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she will push for legislation to ban cell phone use in the coming legislative session in 2025.
[02:07.48]In a recent public study, the Pew Research Center reported that 72 percent of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
[02:24.80]Teachers report less of a problem with younger students. 
[02:30.77]About 33 percent of middle school teachers and six percent of elementary school teachers see cell phone use as problematic.
[02:45.05]The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. 
[02:57.31]In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling apps to place bets during the school day.
[03:05.96]Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.
[03:19.67]James Granger is a science teacher at a Los Angeles-area high school. 
[03:25.79]He told the AP, "Students used to have an understanding that you aren't supposed to be on your phone in class. 
[03:35.09]Those days are gone." Granger added, "The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student."
[03:46.97]Some students say such policies take away their independence and cut off their main method of communication with family and friends.
[03:59.27]Opposition also has come from parents who fear being cut off from their kids if there is a school emergency.
[04:10.57]Jaden Willoughey is a student at Delta High School in rural Utah.
[04:17.67]He shares the concern about being out of contact with his parents if there is an emergency. 
[04:26.68]But he also sees the upside, or good result, of turning in his phone at school.
[04:34.70]At Delta High School, students are required to leave their phones at the door when entering every class.
[04:44.28]"It helps you focus on your work, and it's easier to pay attention in class," Jaden said.
[04:53.09]Kim Whitman is a leader of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group that advises schools. 
[05:01.53]She told the AP she urges educators to make exceptions for students with special educational and medical needs.
[05:13.31]Back in Virginia, school systems have been increasingly banning or severely restricting students' phone use.
[05:24.34]For example, Loudoun County Public Schools, in northern Virginia, passed a new policy last month that generally bans elementary school students from using phones during the school day.
[05:43.17]Middle school students are permitted to use their phones before or after school, but they are expected to store their phones in their lockers. 
[05:55.91]In high school, students are expected to silence their phones and place them in storage during instructional time.
[06:06.16]In Richmond, Virginia, the school system started a cell phone ban last year in some of its high schools and middle schools.
[06:18.75]Jason Kamras is head of the Richmond school system. 
[06:24.63]He said, "We saw more student engagement in class and fewer distractions throughout the day." 
[06:34.71]Additionally, he said, "Students reported spending more time talking with their peers."
[06:43.29]I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.