I don't buy this: "And saying students can store their phones in the locker is a joke. If they have cellphones, they're going to bring them into class."  I can imagine that if I lived in a dangerous neighborhood, I'd want my children to have a phone for emergencies -- and regardless of where we lived, I want to be able to call them and tell them to come home and do their homework!  My daughters' school has a very simple policy that makes a lot of sense to me: starting in 5th grade:

Cell phones may not be used on school premises until after dismissal.  Phones should never ring at school and therefore should be turned off.  Students who violate this policy will have their cell phones confiscated until the end of the following school day.  For a second offense, parents will be asked to come and pick up the cell phone from the division office.

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May 23, 2006

Op-Ed Contributor

Hang It Up

By JESSE SCACCIA

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/opinion/23scaccia.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

YOU'RE a teacher in the New York City public school system. It's September, and you're lecturing the class on the structure of an essay. Your students need to know this information to pass your class and the Regents exam, and you, of course, hope that one day your talented students will dazzle and amaze English professors all over the country.

You turn your back to write the definition of "thesis" on the chalk board. It takes about 15 seconds. You turn around to the class expecting to see 25 students scribbling the concept in their notebook. Instead, you see a group of students who have sprung appendages of technology.

Jose has grown an earphone. Maria's thumbs have sprouted a two-way. Man Keung, recently arrived from China, is texting away on a cellphone connected to his wrist. And Christina appears to be playing Mine Sweeper on a Pocket PC on her lap.

Come the end of the term, a handful will fail the class. A number will never pass the Regents. As we all know, far too many will drop out of school. And I can tell you with no hint of pride that it isn't the teacher's fault. As much as any other problem plaguing our schools, the onus for failure should be placed on distractions in the classroom, specifically the cellphone...