Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Policy Cellphones topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students tell Wake County board a blanket cell-phone ban would harm learning and accommodations
Summary
Student leaders spoke at the board meeting to oppose a blanket cell-phone ban, arguing phones support project-based work, accessibility accommodations for neurodivergent students and organizational needs under 504 plans.
A group of student speakers urged the Wake County Board of Education to reject a blanket, schoolwide ban on cell phones, telling the board phones are an instructional tool for projects, a personal accommodation for neurodivergent students, and an organizational aid for students with 504 or other accommodations.
A freshman from Enloe Magnet High School described how cell phones are used for filming projects and for on-the-spot editing that Chromebooks do not support, and said phone access enables students to photograph board notes and capture instructions in class. The student also described anxiety and ADHD accommodations that rely on phones for timers, reminders and one-ear audio devices that help focus.
Speakers asked the board to consider policies that teach responsible device use rather than an outright ban. They said training, clear classroom rules and honoring 504 plan accommodations would address the distraction concern without removing tools that students and teachers already use for instruction and for health needs.
Ending: The board heard the testimony as part of public comment; the board's staff said the cell-phone policy work would continue and that the board will receive further recommendations at future work sessions.
