Should Twin Falls Teachers Be Able To Take Students Cell Phones?

We can all agree that students can be easily distracted by their cell phones. Before we start point the finger, we need to realize where these students have learned their behaviors from. I am constantly distracted by my phone at work, at soccer practice, at the dinner table, etc. We are all guilty of using our phones at the wrong time and place.

Recently, I've seen suggestions that area teachers will be taking students cell phones before class begins. Each students phone will be put in a visible box on the teachers desk. After class is over each student will be able to collect their phone when leaving the classroom.

At first this seems like a brilliant idea. Students should be focused on class while in class but after talking to some Twin Falls parents I quickly realized that this may be an invasion on students private property. One parent said, "If the teacher does not hear or see the students phone, they have no right to take it away."

• Eva Craner, spokesperson for the Twin Falls School District, stated that the current Twin Falls High School and Canyon Ridge High School's cell phone school based procedure states, "Electronic Devices
  To better prepare students for 21st Century learning and career opportunities, students are encouraged to bring an electronic device for learning. As the school district continues to provide more technology, the goal is to reach a 1:1 student-to-device ratio. Although technology presents many advantages to learning, technology misused can present even more distractions to learning. Students may use electronic devices outside the classrooms during passing time and lunch. A single earbud is allowed during passing time, but no headphones are allowed due to the inability of students to hear what is happening around them. Students must have electronic devices and earbuds put away when they enter the classroom (Out of Sight Rule). Students may only use electronic devices in the classroom with expressed permission from the teacher (Out of Sight Rule). Students who inappropriately use technology, or use cell phones and other devices without permission in class will be sent to the office for disciplinary consequences. TFSD Electronic Network Use Agreement provides guidelines for appropriate technology use. Students who use electronics for illegal or unethical purposes (i.e. cheating) could face suspension and/or expulsion, could lose the privilege of having electronics on school grounds, and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. See also policy 506.50 - 506 dealing with sexual harassment and cyber-bullying.
• 1st offense: student reports to office, electronic device confiscated, and student pickup afterschool.
• 2nd offense: student reports to office, electronic device confiscated, and parent pickup afterschool.
• 3rd offense: student reports to office, electronic device confiscated, parent pickup afterschool, and 1 day of PASS room.
• 4th offense: student reports to office, electronic device confiscated, parent pickup afterschool, and 1 day of WISE program and possible incorrigible citation.

Please note that each Magic Valley school has different procedures.

Do you think teachers should have the right to take everyone's cell phone at the beginning of class even if the student hasn't made the phone visible?