Fairfax, Montgomery counties differ in controlling phone use in middle schools

Middle schools in Fairfax County began the year with a new policy that essentially bans the use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

While Montgomery County Public Schools policy dictates phones be kept off and out of sight during school hours, the president of the county’s council of parent-teacher associations says there “is definitely growing support” for restricting or banning students from having phones with them in school.

Fairfax County’s new middle school policy reads: “All electronic devices to include, but not limited to, phones, smartwatches, airpods, tablets, etc., must be powered off and kept away for the duration of the school day in student-assigned lockers.”

The policy allows for the use of the devices on school grounds before the morning bell and after the dismissal bell. It also specifies: “The use of social media, taking/posting pictures, playing games and other technology features are not allowed during the school day.”

In Montgomery County, Lynne Harris, president of Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, says the group’s Safe Technology Committee has been thoroughly researching phone use by young people, since the county school system made it possible for elementary school students to bring cellphones to school, with parental approval...

https://wtop.com/local/2019/09/fairfax-montgomery-counties-differ-in-controlling-phone-use-in-middle-schools/