Tulsa Public Schools Ban Cell Phones, Wireless Devices For Upcoming School Year

Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) announced that cell phones, smart watches, and wireless headphones will not be allowed during the upcoming school year. TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson said the goal is to remove distractions.

Students are expressing concern about the new policy, while most parents are supportive. However, both students and parents are skeptical about how TPS plans to enforce the policy.

For elementary and middle school students, TPS stated, "Devices are to be turned off and put away from the time students arrive on campus until school is dismissed for the day."

Emma Harrell, a second grader, doesn't think phones need to be completely banned but understands the importance of focusing on learning during class. "I have to pay attention to school and I only use my phone in emergencies or ask my teacher if my mom or dad calls me and tells me I need to go," Emma said.

James Harrell, her grandfather, supports the policy. "I think it's great. I think they go to school; they should be going to learn, they shouldn't be on social media and talking to their friends, have their attention towards their studies," James said.

The TPS policy for high school students requires devices to be turned off and put away during all instructional time. Bria Shepler, a junior at Bixby High School, understands the reasoning behind the rule. "A lot of kids were videoing other kids, and they were also cheating on tests," Bria said.

Bria mentioned that although the rule to keep phones away during class has always existed at Bixby High School, students often ignored it. "Honestly, I think they might keep it up for the first month of school and then I think they might give up because a lot of kids won't follow it," she said.

Bria's main concern is contacting her parents in case of an emergency. James Harrell suggests that schools can develop a system or make exceptions for students to address this issue.