Enforcing Electronics Policy: Fair Or Unreasonable?
*Note: An earlier version of this article was published in the print edition of the Roundup, and some changes have been made to the title and to the article. It was mistakenly reported that this was a new policy: the recent announcement of this policy was just a reinforcement reminder.
Within the last few weeks, the electronics device policy has been reinforced at High School West. The policy, which has been present all year, offers stricter guidelines to phone usage in school as compared to the previous ones. Last year, the policy was formerly based on a “strike” system, in which a warning would be given at first, and later the electronic device would be confiscated. However, this year the policy has been altered. If a student uses any banned electronic device, it will be confiscated immediately; also, the student will receive a detention. Further violation of this code will result in more intense consequences.
Teachers at West seem to understand the need for the policy. “I definitely think it is fair. Students have to learn how to get through the day without using their phones. School is for learning, which is completely restricted by the usage of phones. Therefore it is necessary to have a strict code to help the teachers teach,” stated Spanish teacher Mrs. Palmada. “I don’t think that all electronics should be banned simply because they are helpful in guiding the learning process. For example, I think it is smart for a student to take a picture of the notes to send to a friend if they require them. However, I think the punishments are necessary because students have been abusing their electronics, which is disrupting class,” added English teacher Mrs. Madden.
As opposed to the teachers’ views, students are not pleased with this year’s new policy. “I do agree that cell phone use in school is getting a little out of hand, but I think the guidelines are way too strict. In the case of an emergency it is always good to have your phone, but these policies restrict even that,” commented sophomore Josh Wende. “I find these new guidelines to be too strict. I mean, I think that individual teachers should use their own policies. If students have free time, I don’t see the harm in allowing them to play a game on their phones,” agreed senior Robert Lea.
This concept of individual teachers implementing their own electronics policy is popular among the student body. “Each teacher should choose what policy to use. If a teacher allows me to take a picture of the notes, I think I should be able to. I simply don’t understand why these strict policies have to be in place when the teacher can choose what to do in different circumstances,” explained sophomore Devin Dubin.
Though the policy on electronic devices has always been around, it is now really starting to be reinforced. Also, the repercussions are now more severe and alarming. Teachers agree with the necessity of this policy because it provides the purpose of eliminating the distractions that these devices cause in class. However, students generally see this policy as over the top, and prefer the circumstantial policy where teachers use their judgement to determine an appropriate time for usage. One way or another, this policy is currently in place, and looks to remain so for the school years to come.
