As you know, COG-RA, Portable Communication Devices, lets secondary school (Grades 6-12) students have cell phones, iPods, etc. while they are on MCPS property and when they attend MCPS-sponsored activities but not until the end of the official school day.
On June 9, 2009, the Board of Education asked MCPS to do a pilot test in several schools to explore the possible use of cell phones during lunches. It was questioned whether allowing students to use their cell phones during lunch periods would cause harm or disrupt class time by tempting students to use their cell phones during class. The Board decided the best way to find out was to do a field test allowing students at two or three high schools with different lunch schedules to use cell phones during their lunch times.
MCPS Staff will collect data on students' usage of the devices during the lunches as well as attempted usage during instructional time. Comments will also be collected from students, staff, and administrators.
The field test will be done at the start of the second semester (January 26, 2010) and will continue until May 1. A recommendation will be made by June 2010 and the Board of Education will vote on it sometime after that. The outcome of these schools will determine whether or not this test should be expanded to all high schools. If it is successful, the use of cell phones during lunch would be expanded to all high schools.
The Test High Schools:
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Poolesville High School
Quince Orchard High School
Sherwood High School
Walter Johnson High School
Watkins Mill High School
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Tim, thanks so much for all that you're doing for us.
ReplyDeleteThey SHOULD HAVE TESTS AT MIDDLE SCHOOLS LIKE HOOVER, FROST, JULIUS WEST ....
ReplyDeletewill middle school students get use of cell phones at lunch? ??
ReplyDelete"The Board decided the best way to find out was to do a field test allowing students at two or three high schools"
ReplyDeleteyet there is 6 test schools. classic mcps haha. but good job tim.
The quote you used is out of context: "The Board decided the best way to find out was to do a field test allowing students at two or three high schools with different lunch schedules". The idea was to test out how different schedules played it out.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks haha.
I think they should have tested then in down county school. I think the attitudes and actions of kids from down county and upper county are completely different.
ReplyDeleteAre we now allowed to use cell phones?
They'll be voting on it on the July 8th meeting. You'll have to ask your new SMOB, Alan! :)
ReplyDelete