Opinion
Opinion

Atlanta Forward: Education

Before New York City lifted its ban on cell phones in schools this year, students paid to store them at mobile storage trucks parked near their schools.

Credit: Associated Press

Credit: Associated Press

Before New York City lifted its ban on cell phones in schools this year, students paid to store them at mobile storage trucks parked near their schools.
By Maureen Downey
June 14, 2015

For teenagers, their cell phones are their link to the world; they cannot be without them, as schools know only too well. I write about the distraction factor inherent in the phones, which led a Florida teacher to resort to a jammer to force kids to look up and pay attention. Readers also share their views on whether smartphones should be allowed in classrooms. In a guest column, a University of Georgia professor discusses the competitive versus cooperative model of education.

Explore» Join the conversation

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

Follow Maureen Downey on facebookFollow Maureen Downey on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

FILE - This image from video provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via DVIDS shows manufacturing plant employees waiting to have their legs shackled at the Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicle plant, Sept. 4, 2025, in Ellabell, Ga. (Corey Bullard/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via AP, File)

Credit: AP

OPINION

Georgia’s Korean Americans deserve answers after Hyundai plant raid

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid of the Hyundai Metaplant, which led to the detention of hundreds of Koreans, has frightened Georgia's Korean Americans.

Readers write

Readers say ICE deportation tactics are abuse of justice and ask, Is human decency too much to ask of our president?

OPINION

On closure proposal, separate can never be equal for Atlanta Public Schools

As the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education considers shuttering schools, leaders must be committed to naming and address the true problem: concentrated poverty.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: Mike Luckovich

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: How to look better.

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Santa Cashin’ in

OPINION

Georgia’s Korean Americans deserve answers after Hyundai plant raid

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.