Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined this week by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor for his media briefing. Elrich shared that he has “enjoyed working with him” and has been “impressed by his leadership and the direction he is taking the school district in.” Elrich shared the following regarding the new MCPS cell phone policy:
“One change that I am very happy to see is that MCPS has updated its cell phone policy to ensure a more focused and productive learning environment. I have advocated for in-school cell phone policy changes for several years, and I am pleased to see these new policies enacted. I was stunned in some of my school visits to see students playing on their phones during lessons – I could not believe that this was allowed.
Elementary and middle school students will now be required to turn off and put away their phones during classes, lunchtime and transitions. Some middle schoolers will be part of a pilot program that will keep their phones locked away for the day but protected from theft. High school students will still have the flexibility to use their phones during lunch and between classes, but not when they are supposed to be learning. These efforts will help students focus on classwork, not their devices.”
