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Baltimore County Public Schools plans systemwide cell‑phone restrictions after pilot shows improved focus and climate
Summary
After a year of pilots in 17 schools, BCPS officials said a systemwide cell‑phone implementation plan will roll out next school year with summer training, student involvement and consistent school‑level enforcement to reduce classroom distractions and support academic outcomes.
Baltimore County Public Schools will pursue a systemwide rollout of cell‑phone restrictions in secondary schools after pilot programs at 17 schools showed reduced classroom distractions, improved climate and early indications of better academic engagement, officials told the Board of Education on May 20.
BCPS said the goal of the effort is to separate students from their phones during class time while keeping devices nearby and available for legitimate needs such as emergencies or approved assistive‑technology use. The district plans summer training for school leaders, model implementation plans developed by pilot principals, parent FAQs and a student engagement component aimed at explaining the academic and social‑emotional benefits to learners.
District staff and principals emphasized that consistent enforcement and clear messaging about “why” the policy exists were crucial to success. “When the policy was consistently enforced by staff, students responded positively and adhered to the expectations,” one principal summary in the district…
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