A new bill being proposed in Michigan would ban cell phones from public schools. Students caught looking using could face some consequences.

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The idea is being met with mixed reviews from parents and students alike.

Should Michigan Ban Cell Phones In Schools?

A new bill being proposed in Michigan would ban students from being on cell phones in schools. Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Township introduced State House Bill 6171. The bill public schools would need to prevent students from using phones in the classroom, in the halls, and even on the bus.

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What Does State House Bill 6171 Say?

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: 1 Sec. 1306a. (1) Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the 2 board of a school district or intermediate school district or board 3 of directors of a public school academy shall ensure that each 4 school operated by the board or board of directors develops or 5 adopts and implements a policy that prohibits the use of personal June 09, 2022, Introduced by Rep. Eisen and referred to the Committee on Education. 2 DDM Final Page 05951'22 1 cellular devices by pupils enrolled in the school during the 2 scheduled school day when the pupil is at school. 3 (2) "At school" means in a classroom, elsewhere on school 4 property, or on a school bus or other school-related vehicle. 5 Enacting section 1. Section 1303 of the revised school code, 6 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1303, is repealed.

 

Do Any Schools In Michigan Currently Ban Cell Phones?

Currently, one school district in Michigan has a cell phone ban in place. Forest Hills Public Schools started back in 2019. According to Wood TV, The ban calls for students to keep their phones out of site, preferably in lockers, for the entire school day, including during lunch and in restrooms or libraries. If a student is seen with a phone, it gets confiscated. It can be picked up from the office at the end of the day, and the incident goes on the dreaded permanent record. If it happens a second time, a parent must pick up the phone and then negotiate punishments for subsequent violations.

Does A Cell Phone Ban Help Students Do Better In The Classroom?

Forest Hills Public Schools Superintendent Dan Behm told Wood TV

“The decision was made to create the school as a sanctuary for learning, A place that’s free of distractions of whatever type it could be. It was clear phones were a distraction,  Any time you hear it vibrate, ping, chirp whatever it does, your brain thinks, ‘What is that? Instead of being focused on what my math teacher was saying, I’m thinking, ‘When is the next time I can look at my phone?’ When we’ve taken that distraction away, it’s really helped students focus and our principles and teachers report it creates a better environment in the school.”

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What If Students Need To Use A Phone For An Emergency?

If there is an emergency and students need to get in touch with their parents, there are landline phones in classrooms. Plus, students still have their own phones on them, they just need to be put away unless there is an emergency.

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House Bill 6171 is currently stuck in the education committee.

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