The administration at Fair Grove High School recently updated the student cell phone policy granting students permission to use their phones in between classes and at lunch. This initial change began at the start of the 2013 – 2014 school year and Fair Grove High School has allowed the new policy to continue during the 2014 – 2015 school year. Now, students are allowed to text and check social media during the new permitted times; however, sending or receiving a call is still prohibited and the administration asks that if a student needs to call home that they proceed to do so in the high school office.

“Students are now allowed more freedom so they do not pull them [cell phones] out in class as often.” said Ashlea Burks, a Fair Grove Senior. Many students agree that knowing they are allowed to check their phones and send off a quick message in between classes allows them to focus more on what is going on in class rather than what they are missing on social media or through texts.

Not only are the students allowed more freedom in between classes and during their lunch period but, they are also permitted to use their phones in class for educational purposes if cleared by the administration and that specific teacher. Burks believes that cell phones can be a valuable asset to students when used correctly and can “supplement education.” This has become a valuable method for teachers to get students involved in more interactive learning through educational apps.

The cell phone policy in the handbook however, was  never altered. It states that cell phone use is prohibited unless otherwise approved by an administrator. The administration made a decision at the start of the 2013 – 2014 school year to allow some incentive times, at lunch and in the halls, for students to use their cell phones. The intention of changing the rule, as stated by the high school principal Mr. Bell, is to hope to “reduce the number of discipline incidents in the classroom.”

“The incentive program was meant to have a positive effect.” says  Mr.  Bell, “Giving you guys [the students] time to use your cell phone during the school day.”

The administration frequently reviews and evaluates the negative and positive effects of the change to the policy. The update isn’t necessarily a permanent change and the policy can always be changed upon review, whether that means allowing students more freedom, changing it back to how it was, or prohibiting cell phones into the school building during the school day at all.