New York Teachers Alarmed as Students Struggle to Read Clocks

New York City teachers are expressing concern after a recent cell phone ban in schools revealed that many students struggle to read time on traditional clocks. The policy, which took effect in September 2023, has highlighted a significant gap in essential life skills among young learners. According to Tiana Millen, an assistant principal at Cardozo High School in Queens, “That’s a major skill that they’re not used to at all.”

Despite the expectation that students should learn basic time-telling skills in first and second grades, the increasing reliance on digital devices has led to a noticeable decline in this ability. Madi Mornhinweg, an English teacher in Manhattan, noted, “The constant refrain is ‘Miss, what time is it?’” She added that it has become a source of frustration for both students and teachers, prompting a creative response: “I started saying ‘Where’s the big hand and where’s the little hand?’”

Since the ban’s implementation, which received support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York City teachers’ union, there has been a marked shift in school culture. Observers report increased face-to-face interactions among students, from sports during recess to more vibrant conversations in the lunchroom. A senior at New Heights Academy Charter School in Harlem, Rosalmi, remarked, “We’ve had a lot more school spirit.” She described how the absence of phones has led to a resurgence of traditional games, stating, “Dominoes is really a staple Dominican game… People get passionate.”

Despite these positive changes, some students have found ways to circumvent the ban, using older devices like iPods or walkie-talkies. Raisa Ibnat, a 16-year-old senior at Brooklyn Tech, expressed mixed feelings about the policy. “I do like the fact that my phone is away, and I’m more focused in class,” she explained. Yet, she also voiced concerns: “I don’t like the fact that I can’t do my homework in school, and I can’t take notes.” This sentiment reflects the challenges many students face, as they must now carry multiple notebooks due to the ban.

Previous attempts at similar restrictions in local districts, such as Schoharie, New York, which implemented a phone ban in 2022, reported positive outcomes, including enhanced in-person socialization among students. According to Education Week, at least 31 states and the District of Columbia now have some form of school phone restrictions in place. California is set to join this trend with the recently passed Phone-Free School Act, requiring every district to develop a policy by July 2026.

As the debate continues over the efficacy of cell phone bans in schools, the situation in New York City underscores the broader implications for students’ practical skills in an increasingly digital age. The challenge for educators will be to ensure that while fostering a more engaged classroom environment, fundamental life skills, like reading time on a clock, remain an integral part of the curriculum.