Local middle school's cell phone policy shows promising results

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One local middle school has been ahead of the digital trend aimed at decreasing distractions. When students walk through the doors of Howard L. Goff Middle School next week, they won't have one thing in hand.

Jim McHugh, the interim principal, said, "Removing cell phones from the school day, absolutely no regret. Looking forward to year two."

McHugh implemented the policy last school year for students to have their phones out of sight, preferably locked away during the school day, in their lockers. "Our students were not in favor of a no cell phone policy," explained.

Neither were some of the parents. "Some of the push back was how do I get a hold of my child in case of an emergency," he added.

McHugh reminded them there is a phone in every classroom to get in contact with any student at any time. "If you ever need your child, these are the numbers you can call. We can call your child out of class if it's an emergency."

In his three decades of teaching, McHugh has noticed the generational changes among his middle schoolers. "Students not having soft skills, not being able to engage, not being able to persevere and stick things through," he said.

Through several surveys last school year, McHugh found his cell phone ban gained favorability among the more than 900 students and their families. "People don't realize the apps, things that are on the phone, how many times it goes off. Those are all things that distract students from being engaged in teaching process and wondering what's on the phone," he explained.

Not only were students less distracted, but they also performed better academically and socialized more with peers and their teachers. Incidents of inappropriate student behavior decreased. According to the School Safety and Educational Climate Incident Counts, Goff had 16 incidents in 2022-23. That number was down to two in the 2023-24, the year the cell phone policy was implemented.

"Having kids have face-to-face interaction and conversation, there is an element of learning in that," McHugh expressed.

From the first day of school through mid-January -- 6% of students violated the cell phone policy, a large majority followed through. Violations start with a verbal reminder then escalate to administration getting involved.