Making the right call on student cell phone use

I'd heard some high school and college educators talk about the disruptions cell phones cause — primarily texting — in their classrooms. So surely it would be as bad or worse with the younger grades. Not necessarily. This column, like others I've written, just takes a sample.

Putnam City schools gave me the opportunity to talk with Drew Eichelberger, principal at Western Oaks Elementary, Vivi Grigsby, principal at James L. Dennis Elementary and Dick Balenseifen, principal Mayfield Middle School. Maybe there's a problem with this in some schools or several. These educators said their students do have cell phones, but the issue is kept in check. In other words, they're not experiencing a real problem. And each added that from one perspective they are a valuable tool.