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

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) (center left) speaks with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) as they leave a Senate Republican luncheon and the Senate holds a “vote-a-rama” to pass President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Monday, June 30, 2025. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

Credit: NYT

OPINION

‘Big, beautiful bill’ is not fiscally conservative, hurts small businesses

The Republican Party once fought against high debt and for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The 'big, beautiful bill' shows GOP has turned its back on its previous values.

OPINION

Medicaid cuts harm Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Proposed cuts to Medicaid in the "big, beautiful bill" threaten the independence and proximity to community for intellectually and developmentally disabled Georgians.

OPINION

Georgia small businesses need Big Beautiful Bill Act’s permanent deduction

Congress should provide certainty for Main Street by making permanent the 20% small business deduction that is set to expire. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes that happen.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: Mike Luckovich

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Extra pungent

OPINION

‘Big, beautiful bill’ is not fiscally conservative, hurts small businesses

OPINION

Medicaid cuts harm Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.