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Lawton students say phone restrictions boost engagement but complicate midday communication
Summary
Student leaders from four Lawton high schools told the superintendent on a district podcast that the district—s cell phone policy reduced classroom distractions and increased face-to-face engagement, but has made communication among students during the school day harder and produced some logistical issues.
Caitlin Taylor, student body treasurer at MacArthur High School; Anna Adair, student body secretary at MacArthur; Marcus Aguilar, junior class secretary at Eisenhower High School; William Downey, student body president at Monning High School; Reese Brandenburg, student body president at Eisenhower High School; and Mianca Waterton, senior class president at Lawton High School, told Superintendent on a district podcast that Lawton Public Schools— cell phone policy has had mixed effects.
"I carry around 5 devices throughout the day. I carry out a walkie talkie tape measure and a digital camera," William Downey said, noting that devices the school provides have added to the items students must keep with them since phones are restricted. Several students said the policy removes a major distraction: without phones in class, they are more likely to concentrate on coursework and engage with classmates in person.
"I think it removes a lot of the distractions," Anna Adair said, adding that when phones do not go off in class, students are more likely to focus on their work. Marcus Aguilar said the policy has improved student connections: "we actually, like, talk to each other now instead of just staring at screens all day."
At the same time, students said the policy makes short, day-to-day communication harder. One student noted that because phones were previously used to check the time, some schools without working wall clocks found students uncertain of the time during class transitions. Superintendent acknowledged the clock issue and said he would try to address it.
The students and superintendent did not announce any changes to district policy during the broadcast. The discussion described benefits for classroom engagement alongside logistical challenges for student communication and timekeeping.
