Banning Mobile Phones at School
It is a question that keeps some parents awake at night. Should children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? (26) For parents who want their children to do well at school, it is no.
Banning mobile phones at school is effective. According to a UK study, after schools banned mobile phones, the test scores of students improved by 6.4%. The findings will influence the debate about children and mobile phones. In the UK, more than 90% of teenagers own a mobile phone; in the US, 75% have one. The popular mobile phone is a problem in the eye of teachers. (27) In a 2001 survey, no school banned mobiles. By 2007, this had risen to 50%. By 2012, 98% of schools had taken action. Some did not allow phones. The others required them to be handed in at the beginning of the day.
(28) New York City has lifted a 10-year ban on phones at school. It says that lifting the ban will promote equality. "This view is wrong," the researchers of the UK study write."We found that the ban led to improvements in test scores among students. Low-achieving students gained the most. (29) Allowing phones into schools will harm the lowest-achieving students the most."
The UK study was carried out at Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester schools before and after bans were introduced. “Technology is commonly viewed as increasing efficiency," the researchers write. "Modern technology is used in the classroom to improve student performance. (30) Some students will pay no attention to their class."
A.They are worried about the trend.
B.The mobile phone is a good example.
C.However, there are potential problems.
D.Now researchers say that they have an answer.
E.Therefore, lifting the ban may in fact lead to the opposite.
F.However, some schools are starting to allow limited use of mobile phones.
26.D
27.A
28.F
29.E
30.C