Mojave experiments with cell phone privileges for students who test well
Used to motivate improvement
Ninth-through 12th-grade students at Mojave Junior Senior High School who score well on their state standardized tests will be allowed to use their cell phones on campus at certain times.
This concession is part of an incentive program recently approved by the Mojave Unified School District board. Cell phone use by students on campus is currently forbidden.
The program was approved to be implemented on a trial basis for one semester on a 4-1 vote pending approval of a final version of the policy.
The district decided to take this action, because officials have been struggling with the challenge that many students do not take the state tests seriously, because (the tests) have no direct effect on individual students’ grades. Officials think an incentive program could provide the necessary motivation to encourage students to apply themselves.
“Achievement is our goal. If this is a tool we can use to get to that, then that is the basis for my decision,” said board President Shawn Sprague. “If it doesn’t achieve what we are after, we pull the plug on it.”
Under the new policy, those students who score in the “advanced” or “proficient” range on state standardized tests would be given the privilege to use their cell phones during nutrition and lunch periods. Cell phone use would remain prohibited during class and passing periods.
Those who do not maintain their scores will be dropped from the program. Those who improve to the advanced or proficient level will be added.
The policy outlines strict guidelines for those eligible: No sharing cell phones with other students; no intimidation, harassment, or bullying through cell phone use; and turning off cell phones and putting them away when instructed to do so. A student’s cell phone privileges will be revoked for the first violation of any of these rules.
The program will be reviewed by the board at the end of the first semester. Data will be collected and reported to the board on disciplinary actions taken, observations of the policy in use and benchmark testing results.
“I am in favor of trying this on a trial basis,” said board member Ted Hodgkinson. “I think we give this responsibility to these students and let them know what the consequences are.”
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