The Macomb School District is ahead of the curve on a proposed new state law.
Governor J.B. Pritzker wants to ban cell phones in the classroom.
Macomb Superintendent Patrick Twomey said his district implemented such a ban in K-8 schools years ago.
And starting this school year, the district banned cell phone use in the classroom at the same time it banned hats, hoodies, and ear buds.
“We just eliminated all that in one swoop, and it’s going quite well,” Twomey said.
He said teachers report that students are more engaged in the classroom. And he’s seen students at the high school cafeteria more engaged with one another, even bringing in games to play.
“Kids are what I would call re-socializing again, which is great to see,” Twomey said.
Macomb students are allowed to keep a phone on them, but cannot have it out and in use during class time.
If the proposed state law passes, districts across the state will need to have policies in place by the start of next school year to ban cell phones in the classroom.
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