'Fully Engaged': Metro middle school sees success with cell phone policy

While a bill that would ban cell phone usage moves through the Oklahoma State Capitol, some schools in the metro already have cell phone policies in place. One Oklahoma City middle school says it's seen success by implementing campus-wide procedures to keep students off their cell phones. Roosevelt Middle School students, teachers, and administrators sat down with News 9 to discuss the impact.

What is Roosevelt Middle School's cell phone policy?

The campus-wide policy states that students may bring their phones to school, but they must be turned off and put away during school hours. Students are allowed a warning if they are caught on their phones, and consequences are laid out for subsequent offenses. The district offers access to a school phone in each classroom if a child needs to reach their parents in an emergency, and also utilizes an app called "Talking Points" to offer two-way communication between teachers and parents during the school day.

Why was the policy implemented?

Suttles said cell phones were the source of distraction and bullying on campus, prompting the administration to address the issue.

"We've seen an increase in just the lack of student engagement in the instructional process, in that learning process," Suttles said. "Making sure that students are fully engaged in the instructional process and that our teachers are teaching bell to bell is so important."

The policy helps students learn responsibility and accountability, while also reducing the temptation of using cell phones in class, according to Suttles.

How do the teachers feel?

"There's really no need for a student to have their phone out in class," Jason Eckard, a teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, said.

News 9 spoke with 3 teachers on campus, all in agreement: The policy provides clear guidelines that help reduce distractions in class.

"If students are trying to work together in a group and they just keep getting on their phones, it also makes them kind of like disconnected from the group," AnnaMarie Ball, another teacher, said.

The educators also said they've seen a significant drop in the level of disruptions from cell phone usage since the campus-wide policy was implemented.

"It's been really beneficial for students," Ball said.

"All of my students know as soon as they come in through my classroom door that their phone has to be in their pocket, in their bag," Eckard said.

What's next for a statewide cell phone ban?

A bill to ban phones in schools was the first to pass out of the house this session. If approved, it would require schools to start the ban by the next school year. Schools would be able to create their own policies and must accommodate for emergencies and medical issues. The bill passed the House and has been sent to the Senate.