VAIL, Ariz. (13 News) – A new policy banning cellphones in the classroom took effect Friday morning at Cienega High as students marched through the gates for their first day back to school.
The bill was passed by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs in April, according to 13 News.
Kim Middleton, the principal of Cienega High, said the new policy has the potential to improve grades.
“Reducing cellphone use during instructional time is going to have a direct impact on the academic achievement of our kids,” said Middleton. “I don’t see how it couldn’t.”
Some students, however, like DaAnna Walker-Griffin, disagreed with the rule, saying it might encourage cellphone use instead of curbing it.
“It’s just gonna make sneakier kids, that’s all it’s really gonna do,” said Walker-Griffin.
Other students, like Joslyn Anderson, said they support the new policy.
Anderson noted that students are still allowed to use their phones at lunch, and she said it could improve the way students engage in their studies and with each other.
“Kids are less creative these days,” she said. “I think it will help our creativity, our social interaction. Instead of texting, we could actually talk to each other.”
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