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Podcast: Cascade CounterPoint
Episode: QP: Limits on School-Day Phone Use Will Free Students to Learn
Description: The Board of Portland Public Schools has been working to craft a district-wide policy regarding cell phone use at school. During the Policy Committee’s December 2 meeting, board members discussed a draft policy that would require personal electronic devices to be “off and away” during the school day, including lunchtime and in hallways, “so that the device cannot disrupt students or the learning environment.”
During Monday’s discussion, board members said many educators support clear and enforceable restrictions on cell phone use. They cited learning disruptions, technology addiction, and students cutting classes to be on their phones. School staff who...