Why More Schools Are Embracing Cellphones

What’s the Latest Development?

Many of us can recall a time when schools resisted the presence of cellphones in their halls. However, in light of recent shootings, administrators are evaluating ways in which to take advantage of the technology given the growing number of phones being carried by young people. While many high school and middle school students have personal phones and are allowed to bring them to school, a recent study done by the research firm YouthBeat indicated that more than 1 in 10 students between the ages of 6 and 10 also have their own phone.

What’s the Big Idea?

In Ohio, Chardon High School, which experienced a shooting earlier this year, is now considering a change to its crisis management plan that would include deliberate use of cellphones. During that event, according to administrators, many students called 911 and their parents to let them know they were safe. Distributing mass instructional text messages to students and teachers and sending traffic information to waiting parents are just two ways of using the technology in schools. Today’s shooting in Connecticut may spur elementary school teachers and administrators towards implementing an inclusive cellphone policy.

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