TCAPS Board of Education Approves Revised Cell Phone Policy
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education (BOE) approved revision to Board Policy #5136: Cell Phones and Electronic Communication Devices, at a Special Board Meeting held July 27. The policy will take effect with the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.
The updated policy states cell phones and Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) are prohibited for all students in grades PreK-8 at all times during the instructional day. Students in grades 9-12 may not use cell phones and other PEDs during the instructional day, with the exception of before school, during passing times, and during their lunch break. The intent is to enrich the learning environment by reducing external distractions, enhancing student focus, and fostering social interaction.
TCAPS joins many other leading districts around the state and nation by enacting a policy to keep cell phones off and away during the day.
“Addressing the use of cell phones during the academic day is a step towards achieving goals set by the Strategic Plan”, commented Board President Scott Newman-Bale. “By eliminating the presence of cell phones and social media platforms during the school day, we expect to see an increase in student achievement and a decrease in the negative behaviors that are often associated with cell phone use.”
The District’s COMPASS Strategic Plan emphasizes mental health, including a goal to implement structures and systems of support to increase mental and emotional health and social well-being, and secondly, a goal towards preventing and addressing harassment and bullying to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Updates to the handbook, along with developing plans for implementation, will begin immediately in conjunction with Administrative Guideline 5136.