Cell Phone Problem Solution

A serious problem has arisen that desperately needs to be solved. Students have been constantly using their cell phones during class and causing distractions to the learning environment. As a result, the principal is ready to ban all cell phones from school. Although this might solve the problem, it would alienate and irritate the student body. As it is, students are already distracted by cell phone misuse in the classroom.

Teachers have found that their classrooms are becoming unruly and are having to take time out of instruction to write disciplinary forms. This results in added paperwork for administrators. Additionally, teachers are complaining to administrators about class disruptions. All the interruptions are detracting from students’ educational time; thus EOG scores my plummet along with school funding. With the lower test scores and tighter budget, the schools’ reputation may also suffer. If we want to keep our schools’ pride intact, we must solve this dilemma.

After pondering this complex problem I have devised an exemplary solution. I propose that the school’s leadership team organize a monthly incentive time in which students are able to talk and text on their cell phones. This incentive is designed to reward students for obeying the cell phone regulations. Students should be focused on their education and should not be using their cell phones during school hours (8:30am-4:00pm).

To begin implementing this solution, the staff members should be notified first by sending an email or holding a staff meeting. Next, posters should be hung on each hallway to inform students about the upcoming cell phone incentive. Announcements can also be made to build excitement about the upcoming change in policy. Waivers would be sent home to notify parents that the cell phone rule has not changed; however to reward students for abiding by the rules, a cell phone incentive time is being integrated into the schedule on a monthly basis.

These incentive times would be held on the first Wednesday of every month. Core classes would be shortened by 15 minutes each, allowing there to be a free hour at the end of the day. At the beginning of this time students should have five minutes to pack up and get their cell phones and report back to their last class. Students who do not have cell phones are able to use this time to have study hall, play games, or socialize upon teacher’s discretion. These incentive times are the only allotted times to text, play games, listen to music, use the internet, or call others during school hours. Headphones must be used for all music and other audible activities. Phones must be set on vibrate to eliminate unneeded noise.

Although the original cell phone rule has not changed, new consequences have been put in place. First time rule breakers will have their phone confiscated and sent to the office. Silent lunch will be given and they will lose the next incentive time and would be sent to ISS for the hour.

For students who break the cell phone rule a second time, their phone will be confiscated and sent to the office. They will be put on cleaning duty with the custodians or cafeteria staff during the incentive time. These students would lose the next two incentive hours and receive a behavior slip. If these students still did not learn that their actions have consequences and break the rule for a third time their phone will be taken and sent to the office. That student would also receive a behavior slip. The students would miss the next three incentive times and clean during the hours. For fourth and habitual offenders, their phone will be taken and sent to the office. They would lose all future incentive hours and clean.

This solution has a multitude of benefits; one such benefit is that it is cost and time efficient. Implementing the incentive time is inexpensive. The only cost incurred is the expense of the paper and ink used to print the waivers. It is important to be money-conscious because many school are facing budget cuts. Funds should be reserved for other important supplies and activities. Cost efficiency is not the only benefit; time efficiency is equally important.

The incentive time only takes one hour away from class time each month. This allows ample time for less interrupted instruction. This solution also appeals to all parties. To administrators, education is paramount, and this solution applies to that. The more learning without distractions gets high scores for students and for the school. Those high scores may equate to county or state bonuses. Such money could be used for classroom upgrades. Teachers would appreciate the upgrades, but they will also benefit from other aspects of this solution.

The teachers would have more teaching time because they will be spending less time filling out disciplinary paperwork. So having more teaching time can lead to higher grades for students. This can allow teachers to move through subjects quicker. Also, with this solution, students will be less likely to sneak around with their phones because they will have a designated time to use them.

This solution is much less severe than the principal’s initial solution, which was to ban all cell phones. In conclusion, the previously stated solution, which is to integrate a monthly incentive time into the school day, is an excellent solution to the cell phone predicament. This solution will solve the problem because it allows time for students to use their cell phones. Such will increase the amount of time on-task; more instructional time benefits all ages. Not only does it benefit all, it holds students accountable for their positive and negative decisions. Show your approval of this plan by passing this proposal onto the principal. This is your chance to put this problem to rest and better our entire school.