'I think it has helped everyone,' Missouri school district talks phone ban effects one month later

LAMAR, Mo. — School has been in session for about a month now with the statewide ban on cell phones in schools.

Cell phones were one of teachers' biggest challenges - but with the new rule Lamar School District says - more students are willing to pay attention.

Some Lamar students say the policy took some getting used to.

"Whenever I first heard about it I was kind of upset, but now that my grade is like improved so much I am happy it's happened I think it has helped everyone," said Hunter Thomason, Lamar high school sophomore.

"Now I feel like I am working on assignments more in class than I did and my grades have been improved a little bit," said Logan Martin, Lamar High School Junior.

One Lamar teacher says while this has solved one issue it brings back something teachers used to deal with decades ago.

"I think student distractions are always gonna be there what I noticed in my classroom specifically is now kids are more distracted by talking to each other but as a teacher I am okay with getting on a kid for talking too much," said Andrew Shertier, Lamar high school English teacher.

Shertier says he absolutely supports the no cell phone policy - and has seen students engaging in literature in way he's never seen before.

"I would say for some well for most I would say it's definitely a positive reaction and then there is definitely a few others that would change it if they could," said Thomason.