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Pasco County School District Might Prohibit Texting

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By RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 3, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County School District may crack down on cell-phone use in middle and high schools in an effort to put a halt to students using text messaging to cheat on tests.

Board member Allen Altman said at Tuesday's board meeting that several teachers told him students learn what's on a test in messages from friends who took the exam during the previous class period.

He said the district needs to take action to make sure the cheating doesn't continue.

"It's not fair to students who are doing things the right way," Altman said. It's also not fair to the teachers, he said.

"We need to have that addressed before school starts back in the fall so everyone know the rules from Day One," Altman said.

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said she's willing to work with her staff to draw up a policy "with teeth" if she has the support of the board.

It's unclear what the policy will be, though, and Fiorentino said she wants to discuss the issue with principals before she brings a proposal to the school board.

Board member Marge Whaley, who suggested student input should also be sought, said the problem is just going to get worse. "It's almost impossible for one teacher giving a test to monitor 30 students who might be texting," Whaley said.

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