A UFT survey found two-thirds of educators would support a citywide ban on cellphones in schools.
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) announced a survey on Monday that shows NYC educators would likely support a school cellphone ban, building even more momentum for a statewide policy that has been talked about for months.
The survey found that two-thirds of NYC educators would support a cellphone ban in public schools. The snapshot survey of teachers and other union members from more than 1,000 schools in the city found that 63% supported a citywide ban, while 31% opposed it. Another 6% remained neutral.
“Teachers know first-hand that cellphones waste classroom time and threaten students’ mental and physical health,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
But union support is not so clear-cut. It comes with stipulations that Mulgrew calls “safeguards” for staff and students.
Some NYC schools already ban cellphones
Cellphone restrictions are already in place at some DOE schools, though it is unclear how many. According to the survey, 38% of the UFT members whose schools have bans called them a success, while 40% said it has been a failure.
However, educators who said their bans were failures blamed it on a lack of planning and organization.
What works?
Schools that have successfully prohibited the devices did so in various ways. Children in elementary schools with cellphone bans must keep turned-off phones in backpacks.
The survey showed that collecting phones as students walked into the school building worked best in middle and high schools. Cell phone lockers drew the most support.
Conclusion
The survey suggests that a cellphone ban in schools could have significant support among educators. However, implementing such a policy would require careful consideration of the logistical and practical challenges involved. The UFT has identified several “safeguards” that would be necessary to ensure that the policy is effective and does not disrupt the learning environment.
FAQs
Q: Why do some educators support a cellphone ban in schools?
A: Many educators believe that cellphones are a distraction in the classroom and can waste valuable instructional time.
Q: How many NYC schools already ban cellphones?
A: It is unclear how many NYC schools currently ban cellphones, but the UFT survey suggests that around 38% of schools with bans consider them successful.
Q: What are the “safeguards” proposed by the UFT for a cellphone ban?
A: The UFT proposes that any new government policy on a school cellphone ban would have to ensure that educators are not the first or sole line of enforcement, that the NYC Department of Education (DOE) pay for any costs associated with the ban, and that enforcement be consistent, fair, and uniform.
Q: What are the potential benefits of a cellphone ban in schools?
A: A cellphone ban could help reduce distractions in the classroom, improve student focus and attention, and promote more effective learning.
Q: What are the potential drawbacks of a cellphone ban in schools?
A: A cellphone ban could be difficult to enforce, especially in schools with large numbers of students. It could also create logistical challenges for schools and potentially harm students who rely on their phones for communication or emergency situations.
