Competing Plans to Limit Smartphone Use in Michigan Schools
House Republicans and Senate Democrats in Michigan have introduced rival proposals aimed at curbing smartphone distractions in K-12 public schools. The plan by state Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) mandates that school boards ban smartphone use during class for all students, with stricter rules for elementary grades. Conversely, state Sen. Dayna Polehanki’s (D-Livonia) proposal doesn’t specify restrictions; instead, it requires school boards to develop a policy that limits cellphone use without detailing what that should entail.
Both proposals gained traction following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s earlier call for bipartisan action on the issue, citing evidence that reduced cellphone usage boosts learning and decreases incidents of bullying.
Historically, Tisdel has advocated for such restrictions, with a similar bill failing to progress in a Democratic-controlled House last year. Schools across the state face challenges in managing smartphone usage as access to social media can exacerbate mental health issues and bullying.
While numerous districts have implemented some form of cellphone policy, exact figures remain unclear. The Michigan Department of Education, which assisted in crafting Polehanki’s bill, emphasized the need for flexibility, arguing that a one-size-fits-all approach is impractical in a state with diverse educational environments.
Jennifer Smith from the Michigan Association of School Boards expressed support for Polehanki’s plan for its flexibility, which could assist districts in addressing parental concerns about smartphone access while managing distractions. In contrast, Bob Kefgen from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals backed Tisdel’s approach, advocating for consistent rules across districts.
Tisdel’s bill restricts smartphone ownership entirely for students in grades K-5, allows limited usage for middle schoolers, and gives high schoolers more freedom. He emphasizes that such restrictions are essential for maintaining focus during critical instructional time.
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