In Franklin, Wis., the school board first banned pagers, then broadened the policy to include two-way electronic communication devices. They're not necessary for students in their daily activities. Also, students talked on the phones between classes. Board member Curt Johnston says parents were unhappy at first, but became used to the rule. On the other hand, students complained that they were being punished for the misbehavior of only a few students, a point he sees as valid.
Some schools do have policies that are less restrictive than a total ban.
At the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, near Boston, the policy prohibits using electronic devices in a way that disrupts the educational process. It's acceptable to have cell phones and pagers on silent mode, as long as the students don't place or answer calls during class. A small number of students use their phones or pagers inappropriately, says Minuteman School Committee member Paul Schlichtman. When that happens, the principal confiscates the device, and it is returned when the student's parent comes to school to retrieve it. The physical size of a school district could be a deciding factor in whether to allow students to carry their phones in school, says Schlichtman.