vlog Investigates: What's changed at Ottumwa schools after a semester of strict cell phone ban
First semester grades are in for the Ottumwa school district's 5,000 students — the first semester after a strict cell phone policy went into effect.
Phones and other electronic devices are banned from classrooms, even hallways and lunchrooms.
"It has to be out of sight and off," said Superintendent Mike McGrory.
The first semester showed improvement in grades and fewer behavioral issues being reported, school leaders said, including:
- A 20 percent decrease in referrals for behavior.
- A 12 percent increase in As and Bs for grades 8-12, compared to the first semester of the last school year.
- A 60 percent decrease in failing grades for the same grades and compared to the same time frame.
"To be quite honest, I knew we would have a decrease, just hearing anecdotally from teachers and students, saying that their grades are better than they ever have been, said Maria Lantz, the district's director of instruction and learning. "But then calculating it out, it was, I mean how many people can say they've had that giant of a decrease in just a few months."
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is proposing a bill this year that would set statewide standards. Her proposal is in the first steps of the legislative process at the Iowa Statehouse.
It would require all districts to set a policy that would ban devices during instructional time, teach grades 6-8 about the effects of social media, and set some other policies for school safety and an appeal process for parents or guardians. There could be exceptions for students who are on individual education plans or those with physical or mental health needs.
In Ottumwa, the policy had some skeptics when school started in late August.
"I thought this isn't going to go well," said Gateway High School Principal Aaron Ruff. "Attendance rates are going to go down. We're going to be fighting kids over phones."
But he's a believer now.
"I've really changed my mind," he said. "I see a lot better relationships from students to students. The No. 1 thing that causes anxiety in students is relationships."
Mondays used to be challenging with students on phones on the weekend coming back to school to settle some conflicts that might erupt on social media. Now, Mondays are smooth.
Ottumwa was highlighted in Reynolds' Condition of the State address. McGrory was invited to attend her speech to the Iowa Senate and House.
Other districts are reaching out to find out about Ottumwa's ban.
"I think every school district is different, and so our policy may not work for other districts and so forth, but I think that we can help them," he said.
There have been some other changes that may factor into the grade improvement and behavior referral decrease, Lantz said. But overall she's beyond pleased with the first semester. "I was overwhelmed with joy," she said.
Students see changes as well.
"If you have free time, you'll have conversations instead of reaching for your phone," said sophomore Dawna Rupe. "There's less bullying, cyberbullying. You don't have to worry about checking your phone, seeing a nasty message or pictures or rumors. Like, none of that really happens anymore."
Ottumwa had some parents concerned about school safety, McGrory said. The policy does allow for students to contact parents and guardians. He's had little pushback on that topic.
"It's been amazingly smooth," he said.
