BY CHRIS McDANIEL
KAWC NEWS

PHOENIX – Arizona Secretary of Education Tom Horne is again trying to ban students from using cell phones in all classrooms in the state.

Horne says teachers need to be able to manage classes with minimal distractions, focus on academic achievement and create a safer campus environment, such as banning cell phone use.

“Imagine you are a teacher trying to teach a class while students are surfing on their phones,” he says. “It is outrageous that this is allowed to happen. It significantly reduces student learning and makes life difficult for teachers who are already under a lot of pressure.”

“No teacher,” Horne continued, “should have to compete with a cell phone for student attention. Cell phone use in the classroom is so widespread that it takes away valuable instructional time, and research shows that student performance suffers as a result. This is unacceptable, and nationwide laws are essential to eliminate these distractions.”

Horne regrets a veto by Governor Katie Hobbs last year that ended a similar initiative he supported.

“This veto was irrational and irresponsible,” Horne says. “People need to go to the governor’s office and urge that it not be vetoed next year. Leaving this up to the districts means that some teachers will have to continue teaching classes whose students are surfing around on their phones, which NO Teachers should be obliged to do this.”

Horne is also joined in his support by former Tucson public school teacher Mitchell Rutherford, who left the profession because so many students were using mobile devices in class that it limited his ability to be an effective teacher.

Among those expressing support for the bill are several state lawmakers, including Senator Shawnna Bolick, Representative Beverly Pingerelli, Senator TJ Shope and Representative Matt Gress.

Horne also enlisted the support of board members Susan Ward of Payson and Apache Junction District Manager Dr. Bob Papalardo.