High School Personal Technology Device (PTD) Policy

"Bell To Bell - No Cell" Is Now Permanent

Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed House Bill 1276 into law, making the state’s previously established yearlong ban permanent. 

Lawmakers said they decided to make the bell-to-bell ban permanent after hearing positive feedback from teachers and parents. 

The law, which takes effect July 1, bars students from using cellphones and non-school-issued electronic devices, such as smartwatches and tablets, during the school day. Exceptions are allowed for devices used to monitor health issues and in cases of emergency.

From Policy #5080

Mustang Public Schools will limit the student use of PTD’s or Personal Technology Devices.

• 9^th-12^th grade students will not be allowed to utilize PTD’s at school from 8:40 to 3:35.

PTDs include but are not limited to laptops, computers, tablets, cellular phones, smartphones, smartwatches, ear pods, or headphones. Devices whose primary purpose is gaming and portable speakers are expressly prohibited at all times.

All students will be permitted to carry their cell phones/PTD’s in their backpacks, but they must be turned off, unless it is at one of the approved times listed above.

Possession of a cell phone/PTD on school campus is a privilege, and may be revoked at any time by the administration for violating this school policy regarding such possession. Furthermore, the school and its employees are not responsible for any theft or damage for any cell phone/PTD while on school grounds. The school is not obligated to investigate the loss or damage of a cell phone/PTD.

Exceptions may be made only in compliance with SB 139, including for documented medical needs or emergency circumstances.

All Levels

Standard consequences for violating the personal technology device (PTD) policy are in place; however, actual consequences may vary depending on the severity of the infraction, which could potentially include out-of-school suspension. These consequences apply per student, not per personal technology device (PTD). The school administration reserves the discretion to modify consequences as necessary. The school is not responsible for theft of or damage to PTDs on school grounds, nor obligated to investigate such incidents. Any deviation from this plan is at the discretion of the school administration.

 

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

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THE WHY

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Mustang Public Schools recognizes the positive impact technology can have in schools.  MPS adopted a PTD Policy starting with the 2013-2014 school year.  The policy allowed students to bring personally owned devices to school to be utilized to help enhance their instructional experience.  However, over time we have seen the negative impacts that personal devices can also have on the student, classroom, and the school community.  Many students are distracted, and some are misusing the device, which further takes away from their education. Research has consistently shown that the presence of cell phones in schools leads to increased distractions and discipline issues, which detract from the educational experience.

A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology revealed that students who are exposed to mobile phone use in the classroom are more likely to experience a decrease in academic performance and attention. The researchers found that even the mere presence of a mobile phone can reduce cognitive capacity and attentiveness. A report from Common Sense Media highlighted that excessive use of mobile devices can lead to increased anxiety and lower self-esteem among students, which negatively impacts their overall academic performance and well-being. The study also noted that students who use their phones frequently during class time are more likely to report feelings of anxiety and depression. A study by the Pew Research Center indicated that cell phone distractions are a significant contributor to classroom management problems. 

Teachers have reported that the constant checking of phones and engagement with social media disrupts the flow of lessons and hinders student engagement and participation.

In MPS, we have observed an increase in disruptions and disciplinary incidents directly related to the misuse of PTDs. These incidents range from cheating during exams to inappropriate social media 

use and cyberbullying. By eliminating or limiting the use of these devices during school hours for our students, we aim to create a more focused and supportive learning environment conducive to student success.

Middle School students will be allowed to utilize PTD’s up to 5 minutes prior to school starting and once school dismisses for the regular scheduled school day.  Outside of those times Middle School students may need access to PTD’s for communication with parents in regards to before and after school programs including practices, rehearsals, meetings, etc. For our high school students, while we recognize the importance of technology in their education and personal lives, we believe that limited access to PTDs will help strike a balance between necessary communication and minimizing distractions. Many of our High School students are involved in other programs outside the regular classroom setting including, but not limited to; concurrent enrollment, Career Tech, service learning, internships, work, etc. therefore we feel that many of them need access to their devices. We are also trying to help prepare them for their next steps, whether that is college, career tech, military, or work force. 

As we begin the 24-25 school year we have 1:1 (one to one) devices for students to utilize for their education.  Every student grades 5-12 are provided with a chromebook, whereas grades 2-12 and PreK-1st have access to an iPad. MPS is also implementing Classwize on all school owned devices that will be used by students.  Classwize is a powerful tool designed to enhance the learning experience and ensure a safe, productive classroom environment. Classwize allows teachers to monitor and manage student activity on digital devices in real-time, providing visibility into what students are working on and enabling timely support and intervention. The program will allow teachers screen monitoring, website blocking, and real-time alerts. Classwize helps keep students focused on their educational tasks while safeguarding them from potential online distractions and dangers. This fosters a more engaged and secure learning environment but also empowers teachers to maximize instructional time and effectiveness. We believe Classwize will be an invaluable asset to our educational community, supporting our commitment to providing a high-quality and safe learning experience for all students.

The MPS Policy & Procedure Manual, along with the Student Handbook, will be updated in the coming days to reflect these changes.