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Spokane School Jams Cells During Class

District consulting with FCC on legality of jamming

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2009 5:18 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Students in Spokane, Wash. couldn't could call or text during class for 3 whole days, KHQ-TV reports. A school there recently tested a cell phone jammer to get kids focused on academics, but admitted the move may not be legal. They're checking with the FCC. "We just thought it was something we wanted to evaluate," said Principal John Hook.

If permitted, the school will jam cell phone frequencies during class time but not between classes or during lunch. "We believe that there are times during the school day that parents need to have access to students and students need to have access to family members, and doctors and things like that," said Hook.

Charles Rombold texts a friend while standing next to his vehicle in Lawrence, Kan., Monday, April 28, 2008.
Charles Rombold texts a friend while standing next to his vehicle in Lawrence, Kan., Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Mount St. Mary's University sophomore Emma Schmidt of Mount Airy, Md., displays a text message alert she received from university officials.
Mount St. Mary's University sophomore Emma Schmidt of Mount Airy, Md., displays a text message alert she received from university officials.   (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
AllisonMW
Mar 11, 2009 2:51 AM CDT
Exactly!!! I just don't see any reason for an elementary or middle schooler to have a cell phone. Or even a high schooler that doesn't have his/her own job and making good grades.
professortech
Mar 10, 2009 7:49 AM CDT
Let's be honet about this, students are not "second class citizens" they are "minor citiens". They do not have the same rights as those who have gained the age of majority and asome of their rigts are curtailed until the age of 21. There is no inherent "right" to cel phone usage during school or while on school property. While I do undestand the school's desire to limit student use of cell phones during school time (i.e. texting during classes, etc.) obviously there is a problem if the FCC regulations forbid the blocking of signals. the greater problm withte modern hand-held device is th Camera and video features which violate other students rights when videos/images are posted to the internet as well as when test integrity, security and fairness are violated by students taking pictures of quizes and tests and postin them to the net as well. We are once agin in a situatio in which our technological capabilities have eceeded our societal structures and our foresight into the technologies ramafications.
Snarfeh
Mar 10, 2009 7:34 AM CDT
When I was in school, I don't recall ever having to get in touch with a family member that I could not reach by going to the office to make the phone call. I don't recall anyone else ever being subjected to any kind of hazard for not having a cell phone. The more important thing is that the person needing to be reached in an emergency can be reached via his or her cell phone, not the kids needing access to a cell phone to call them. Cell phones are completely and utterly unnecessary during school hours. This dependency should not be fed with more leniency during school. There is only one reason I could see a need for a cell phone during class hours and that is in the event the school is attacked. For those cases, ensure every teacher has a cell phone available and even allow students access to it WHEN NECESSARY. Outside of that, there is no reason and we older folks made it through school without them and so, too, can today's student.

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high school • cell phones • text messaging addiction • text message • cell phone jammers • texting • high school students

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