I have a simple solution for the "phones in class are disruptive" problem in schools.

[MohRokTah]

Each class has a box with slots that have each student's name. When the students enter the class, they deposit the phone in the slot with their name on it. When the class is over, each student retrieves their phones on the way out.

Problem solved with no cops beating the shit out of students for glancing at their phone.

[TexasProgresive]

1. What's amazing to me is

Not so very long ago students were suspended or expelled for possession of a pager. Now the ubiquitous smart phone is allowed in school. I just don't get it, a girl's collar bones showing get her sent home but 30 kids texting each other in class is OK.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. In my Children's school phones are not allowed.

If they are used they are confiscated and an email sent home.

[cwydro]

4. They absolutely have no place in a classroom.

I was amazed to hear that was what started the whole awful episode.

[haikugal]

10. Yes...why are they tolerated? nt

[NightWatcher]

16. the oft used excuse is that they need them in the event of a shooter in the school

so that the students can call 911.

My friend is a teacher and says that they are a huge distraction

[haikugal]

19. That's a lame excuse, really.

The rule should be if they have cell phones in class and they are using them they lose them...that's how it was always dealt with. Make a call home about it and parents can come in and get the phone, and an ear full about why we don't use cell phones in class, not even study hall.

Someone here said they use their phone for class but it sounded like they're older and in college.

[Brickbat]

3. Different teachers have different standards.

[Township75]

5. And if the student refuses to put the phone on the box

And plays with it during class despite the teachers requests to stop then what?

I like your idea but I don't see how it changes the outcome for unresponsive students.

[MohRokTah]

7. Principal's office

Suspension or expulsion for refusal to comply or multiple offenses.

[Township75]

11. Well if it ends up being predominantly minority students

Getting expelled then we have a problem. That is my concern with a zero tolerance approach. I haven't heard much about white well tondo children getting slammed by cops for phones so I wonder how many will be expelled.

[FBaggins]

13. Wait a sec. So what you're saying is...

... that a child who refuses to get our of her chair (after multiple attempts by school authorities and finally at the insistence of a police officer) - might not obey a "no phones" rule?



And yet... some likely still won't get it.

[Politicalboi]

6. How about leaving phones at home?

We all survived school without phones 24/7. It's ridiculous to even think kids need phones at school. Maybe their friends won't recognize them without that glow of the phone on their face. Oh the horror, they actually have to speak instead of text.

[Crabby Appleton]

8. or this

[backscatter712]

9. What about genuine class uses?

OK, so they're kids, so they're not mature. Though as a grad student, I use my Android tablet to take notes during lectures. That's a legitimate use. I can understand if kids are texting and Facebooking, and the devices are making obnoxious noises. But they have legitimate uses.

[FBaggins]

14. Most public school curricula don't take advantage of that... but you're right

The problem (apart from excessive force) is a disrespectful student. She is unlikely to follow other rules.

[DrDan]

12. and the first time the phone is not there when the student goes to retrieve it . . . .

whew . . . I can hear the parents now.

[840high]

15. I never had a phone in school. I survived.

[DrDan]

18. that is the wisest way to handle phones in school - don't allow them

[Action_Patrol]

17. A cell signal blocker would work too.

No signal, no texting.

[Yo_Mama]

20. Most schools have policies now covering it, and they are reasonable.

Generally no use in class, or the library. And generally if you violate it the teacher takes it and you get it back at the end of the period. The students use them in the halls, lunch, etc.

But this girl used the phone in class, refused the teacher's request for the phone, refused to leave, refused the administrator's order to leave, and then refused the officer's order to leave. So it was not a matter of just glancing at the phone. Not that it excuses the excessive roughness!

So I am guessing she wouldn't have put her phone in the box in the first place. Maybe she was having a bad day. Maybe something was going on that was worrying her and she felt she had to have the phone "in case". That would explain why she wouldn't give it to the teacher. I don't know, but that day she was not going to follow school policy.

I don't see why the teacher is coming in for criticism here. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in class trying to teach with a bunch of cell phones out.