Should cell phones be banned in public schools?

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Wow, this issue has to be moved as soon as possible. It's definitely an education policy issue.

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Looks good as the current wording.

Private school is private...they do what they want. Doesn't this sound more like middle and high school without saying it?

jsut thought about this some more and if the issue is framed only around elementary and middle schools, then we need to specify this.

But if it's mroe philosophical, as is there ever a case where student should be allowed phones, then we can broaden it to "school"

Just had another thought: I think cell phones are in fact banned in classes and this is not a controversy. Under its current wording, we'd leave open a chance of confusing evidence -- say an educator who is a public figures calls for "banning phones in school class" back in 2002 or something. How would you vote on that, based on the current wording?

I'm fine with just two stands. I'd be completely comfortable verifying public figure evidence of someone who thinks we should ban cell phones only in elementary/middle school...and grouping it under the 'yes' position.

So to recap... we're fine with the wording as is with just YES/NO options?

If there's enough evidence for the issue without multiple stands (and there probably is), then it's fine as is.

I don't think we should create the three-way stand. Let's move this to "School Policy."

I back putting this in school policy, as well. Maybe options could be:

-Yes

-Only in elementary/middle school

-No

I don't think we'd need a seperate one from high school though.

This is a huge, ongoing issue in NYC (and undoubtedly elsewhere). Could we perhaps break it down stand-wise?:

"Should cell phones be banned in public schools?" (Maybe leave private schools out of this?)

-Yes

-Only in elementary/middle school

-Only in high school (would anyone say this?)

-No

And I agree with Brian that it belongs under "School Policy."

Brian brings up an interesting point. I know the cell phones in school issue always returns after school shooting incidents, etc. The argument of "more lives could be saved if students were allowed to access their cell phones to contact the police" and what have you.

However, it's also a bigger debate because in today's society, some kids get cell phones in elementary school... I think people would argue they should be banned in elementary and middle school / junior high, but not necessarily in high school. We're clearly not talking about colleges here. What's the best way to account for multiple types of opinions?

Interesting. I see both sides of the argument. Should we make it more specific? I ultimately think this should be under "school policy."

another good issue

Educators and school officials have given a variety of reasons for issuing schoolwide cell phone bans, saying the devices are distracting, students may use them to cheat, and they invite theft. 

For parents its a safety issue.  They like being able to be in touch with their children.  From insideschools.org:

But in a post-September 11th New York City, many parents say they are particularly concerned about being able to get in touch with their kids in the case of an emergency, and cell phones have provided a way for improved safety as kids travel to and from school. Carr, the Manhattan Hunter Science parent, says there are fewer functioning payphones on the street than there used to be. She added that when her two older children, now in their thirties, were in school, she had no way to contact them, and often had to worry about their well being. "I had many an anxious night when they were late and I didn't know where they were," she said. "I no longer have to endure that. Why should I?"

Kid, naturally, are opposed being told what they can and cannot do.