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APS Community Overwhelmingly Backs Cell Phone Policy
9 Out of 10 Surveyed Say Student Cell Phone Use Should Be Restricted
APS Community Overwhelmingly Backs Cell Phone Policy
March 11, 2010
Nine out of 10 people participating in an Albuquerque Public Schools survey support the district’s proposed cell phone policy that will allow students to have cell phones at school, but will require that they be turned off or silenced during instructional time.
Of the more than 2,000 people who participated in the electronic survey, here were our findings:
- 90% said APS should have a cell phone policy
- 84% said it is reasonable for schools to expect students to keep cell phones and other electronic devices powered off, silenced, or concealed from view during the school day
The vast majority of survey participants – 80 percent – also said that school personnel, including teachers, should be allowed to confiscate cell phones and other personal electronic devices if students violate the rules outlined in the district’s cell phone policy.
To address the issue of cell phones and electronic devices, the APS administration – with input from principals at every level, school police, APD, students, the Attorney General’s Office, lawyers and others – has put together a draft of a district-wide policy that addresses rights, responsibilities, and restrictions. The proposed policy was presented to the APS Board of Education Policy Committee, which encouraged the district to seek public input.
The electronic survey was part of that effort to solicit public opinion on the topic. The survey was sent to school principals, who were encouraged to post it to their schools’ websites and send it to parents. The survey also was included in the APS electronic employee newsletter and posted to the APS website from Feb. 26-March 5.
Of the 2,046 people who participated in the survey:
- 44% identified themselves as parents
- 36% were staff members
- 9% were students
- 11% identified themselves as “other”
Three out of four survey participants said high school students should be allowed to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices like iPods during lunch, but only 41 percent felt it is appropriate for high school students to use the devices during passing period.
Two out of three survey participants also said students should be allowed to use their cell phones and other electronic devices on school buses.
Only a third of the participants felt the district should allow students to use cell phones and personal electronic devices on school property or at school-sponsored activities to access and/or view Internet websites that are otherwise blocked at school including Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
The policy will go back to the APS Board of Education for final approval. APS hopes to include the cell phone and electronic device policy in the 2010-2011 Student Behavior Handbook. A draft of the Cell Phone Use Policy is posted on the Communications Office page.
