A new policy imposing a cell-phone free instructional day is on the table, and while some Lawrence parents believe it would better support teachers, others said they’re worried about the safety implications.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
A draft cell phone policy would prohibit Lawrence school district students from using their phones during school hours, but some exceptions are included and discipline is not a focus of the policy.
An advisory group created by the Kansas State Board of Education is recommending that schools ban cellphones for students at every grade level.
Across Kansas, teens are living more and more of their lives online. Scrolling for hours probably isn’t great for anyone, but research shows it’s especially bad for teens and their developing brains.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms.
A districtwide cell phone ban was included in a draft of an updated student handbook, but Lawrence school district administrators said Monday it was a mistake, and high school students would still be permitted to use their phones outside of classes.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence teachers could receive raises this fall based on the tentative contract up for the school board’s approval Monday. The board will also consider a new handbook that would ban cellphone usage at school.
The Kansas State Board of Education plans to finalize in August parameters of a 30-member task force that would be formed to develop policy recommendations on non-academic use of cellular telephones by prekindergarten through 12th-grade students while at school.
More than 80 Lawrence educators have signed a petition for the district to implement a stricter cell phone policy, and six people advocated for it during the school board meeting Monday.
