Making an Unpopular Decision in the Best Interest of Students: A Teaching Case Exploring a Ban on Student Cell Phone Use

Motivated by concerns about student safety and reports of decreased student achievement, this teaching case follows a principal and her leadership team as they explore implementing a ban on student cell phone use in their school. The teaching notes include activities designed to strengthen the skills that K–12 school leaders can use when faced with making potentially unpopular decisions about divisive issues in their schools and school communities. Activities include developing a pro/con grid, semiscripted and improvised role play, and a three-columned chart designed to encourage current and prospective school leaders to identify opportunities for discretionary decision-making to support the best interests of students.