Howard County -Students Can’t Use Mobile Phones On Campus During School Day

Come on the beginning of March, no students in Howard County Public Schools will be able to use their mobile phones during the school day.

All units need to be silent and released away – out of sight, out of mind – during the “Student Day” According to the political changes of the school system. A student’s day is defined as from the first bell on the school day to the last.

Currently, High Schoolers can use their cell phones during lunch, in the hallways and in the classroom when a teacher says that. Occasionally, high school students can use their phones for special events, while basic students need to store their phones in their backpacks.

At a 7-1 vote, Howard County School Board on Thursday approved the stricter rules on the use of mobile phones.

The policy changes will take effect on March 3.

Months ago the school system joined a local and national movement to knock down About student telephone use in the classroom. A working group – consisting of students, families, staff, county residents and social organizations – was formed. About 9,300 people participated in a study sent out to society, focus groups met and the Education Council held a public consultation.

The school board Delayed voting on the working group’s original recommendations in November. Then the Board’s Political Committee met and made adjustments to the political change recommendations presented to the Board of Directors on Thursday evening.

Despite the adjustments, Chairman Jolene Mosley voted against the political changes.

“I feel like the current policy is fine and the student’s code of conduct is not ok,” Mosley said.

Mosley wanted her co -board members to only adapt changes to the student’s Code of Conduct, which would allow school administrators to introduce clear guidelines for using mobile phones in the class during class time, not approve other recommendations.

“We are in very uncertain times right now,” Mosley said, adding that “taking it away where a student in high school cannot check their phone during lunch and between classes can be dangerous.”

Originally, the working group had recommended that colleges be allowed to use their phones between classes and during lunch.

The school system collects data during the initial roll-out to evaluate political changes, giving way to any adjustments before the study year 2025-2026.