RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the use of cellphones during the instructional day had become pervasive throughout the district, taking away valuable instructional time while incurring a lot of disciplinary violations.
The survey, which was conducted over a 14-day window at the end of the first nine-week period, was presented to the RISD board of trustees during a Nov. 2 meeting. According to district officials, the survey tested the effectiveness of the district’s Cell Phone Free Environment policy both across the district and at Forest Meadow Junior High School, which is piloting a Yondr pouch cellphone program for this school year.
The Yondr pouch program requires students to put phones in magnetic-locked bags throughout the school day to prevent use. The program was initially proposed to affect all students in seventh to 12th grades but was altered to run a pilot program at Forest Meadow during an Aug. 11 meeting.
Results of the survey showed teachers were supportive for the majority of the new measures with 83% saying they have observed less disciplinary issues regarding phones in the classroom using the general method. In addition, 94% of teachers said they are in support of the Cell Phone Free Environment policy.
Teachers at Forest Meadow said the implementation of the Yondr pilot program made enforcing the phone policy less stressful with 72% of teachers strongly agreeing students are more attentive in the classroom under the new policy.
Under both methods, a majority of teachers, 61% for the general rules and 65% for the Yondr program, said the new phone policy has led to more than 10 minutes of additional learning time in their classes.
Despite positive feedback, there are also concerns from both staff and the community toward the cellphone policy, according to the survey.
Parents and teachers suggested continuing to adjust the implementation of the current policy before considering changes or expansion. Parents also said they are worried about the cost of the Yondr system going districtwide.
In addition, students and parents expressed concern in the survey about safety and communicating during an emergency situation as well as whether the general or Yondr implementation is teaching students how to be “more sneaky” to “get around” the rules.
District officials said they have no plans to adopt any further cellphone plan, hoping to see increased effectiveness over the remainder of the school year.
For more information on the cellphone use survey, visit here.
