THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH MORE BELT TIGHTENING.

GOVERNOR MOORE IS SIGNING A BILL TO REDUCE PLANNED INCREASES ON EDUCATION AS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PONDER THE IMPACT OF CUTS COMING FROM WASHINGTON.

SUE COPPIN HAS SOUR STORY.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES COMPLETED AN INITIAL ANALYSIS OF THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND ESTIMATES MARYLAND COULD LOSE $430 MILLION IN TARGETED CUTS.

>> THE 430 MILLION WILL BE VERY PAINFUL BUT WE CAN WEATHER THAT STORM IN THE SHORT-TERM.

AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY PUSH US IMMEDIATELY INTO A SPECIAL SESSION.

WHAT HAPPENS TO GET TO THE BIGGER HEALTHCARE CUTS IS WHERE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG LEVER OF THE DECISION POINT FOR US TO COME BACK, BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE A DISRUPTIVE IMPACT ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> TARGETED CUTS INCLUDE A LOSS OF 148 MILLION IN SECTION 8 HOUSING.

A CUT OF 94 MILLION IN LOW INCOME HEATING AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND 61 MILLION IN THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR CLEAN WATER AND DRINKING WATER.

ADD TO THAT CONCERN THAT THE STATE'S SHARE OF MEDICAID COSTS COULD BE HEADING UP.

>> TO MEET THE BUDGET TARGETS CONGRESS ANNOUNCED, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE SIGNIFICANT KUTD TO MEDICAID OUR ESTIMATE IF WE SHIFTED THE EXPANSION POPULATION TO A 50/50 MATCH THAT IS A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF COSTS THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ON OR RELEASE 300,000 PEOPLE FROM THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> AMONG THE MOST RECENT CUTS IMPACTING THE STATE THE DISMISSAL OF 250 MARYLAND AMERICORPS WORKERS.

>> THE ONE THAT IS MOST DISHEARTENING IS THE CUTS TO AMERICORPS.

WHICH ARE JUST A BREAKDOWN OF A DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN VALUES THAT ARE VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE ARE CORE TO THE AMERICAN SPIRIT AND CUTS TO AMERICORPS ARE A SYMBOL OF EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG.

WE'RE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO FILL THE GAPS WHERE WE CAN.

>> FILLING THE GAPS MAY INCLUDE HAVING TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CUTS AND THAT MAY INCLUDE THE BLUEPRINT REVISED IN THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

I THINK WE WILL CONTINUOUSLY SEE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BLUEPRINT ALONG THE WAY.

I THINK WE MADE REALLY IMPORTANT ADJUSTMENTS THIS YEAR THAT MAKE IT SUSTAIN SHAH SHALL RABLE -- SUSTAINABLE.

AND WILL THERE ARE UNCERTAINTIES OUT THERE.

>> FOR NOW THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT HOPE THE ACTION TAKEN DURING SESSION WILL HELP.

>> WE DID LEAVE SESSION WITH 2 BILLION AND WE WILL TRY TO USE AND GIVEN THE ADMINISTRATION THE DISCRETION TO COVER AS MANY GAPS AS POSSIBLE.

>> AT THE STATE HOUSE, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> I'M NANCY AMATA WITH MORE ON THE ABRUPT DISMISSAL OF AMERICORPS WORKERS IN MARYLAND.

>> WE SHOULDN'T TREATED PEOPLETIES WAY.

>> THE SECRETARY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC INNOVATION GOT THE NEWS AFTERHOURS ON A FRIDAY EVENING THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS TERMINATING $7 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS FROM AMERICORPS A FEDERAL AGENCY FOR NATIONAL SERICE AND VOLUNTEERISM THAT LEAD TO A STOP WORK ORDER FOR 250 MEMBERS WHO SIGNED UP FOR A YEAR OF SERVICE IN EXCHANGE FOR A MODEST LIVING ALLOWANCE.

>> THESE ARE FOLKS THAT WERE SERVING IN THE NONPROFITS, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, MANY TIMES ORGANIZATIONS SERVING COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE MARGINS OR WORKING WITH PEOPLE THAT NEED SUPPORT.

>> SECRETARY SAYS DESPITE RECEIVING DEVASTATING NEWS.

>> IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES THE MARYLAND CONSERVATION CORPS THAT HAD 40 MEMBERS THE MEMBERS SHOWED UP AS VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THEY HAD A PROGRAM FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT SATURDAY.

AND THOUGH THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE AS AMERICORPS MEMBERS THEY SHOWED UP ANYWAY.

THEY HAVE A HEART TO SERVE AND THE STATE IS WORSE OFF FOR THE LOSS OF THESE MEMBERS AND CERTAINLY THE GRANTSES THAT SUPPORT IT.

>> MARYLAND IS ONE OF 24 STATES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO SUE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER THE CUTS TO AMERICORPS CITING THAT ONLY CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO CUT THEIR FUNDING.

THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY FOR THE WORKERS... >> YOUR SOURCE OF INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY GONE.

YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILIES.

OUR DEPARTMENT TRIED TO STEP IN TO HELP OUR MEMBERS CONNECT WITH RESOURCES ESPECIALLY AS THEY ARE FACING SUBJECT CITIES TENSE CHALLENGES TO DEAL WITH ACUTE NEEDINGS.

BEYOND THAT HE HURTS FOR THE AGENCY'S THEY SERVE.

>> GRANTEES INCLUDE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WE KNOW THERE ARE NEEDS THAT WILL GO UNMET BECAUSE SOME COULD ONLY DO WHAT THEY WERE DOING WITH THE SUPPORT OF AMERICORPS.

>> HIS MESSAGE FOR IMPACTED WORKERS?

>> WE ARE STILL GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO FINDING OUR WAYS WHO HAVE A HEART TO GIVE BACK TO DO SO ACROSS MARYLAND BECAUSE THE STATE NEEDS YOU EVEN NOW.

>> I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS MARK GLADWIN HE IS DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

Dr. GLAD WIN THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

THE NIH, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, HAVE CANCELED BILLIONS IN RESEARCH GRANTS.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR INSTITUTION?

>> WELL, THANKS SO MUCH, JEFF, FOR TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH ME.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH IS A MAJOR FUNDER OF ACT DISEMMIC MEDICAL CENTERS -- ACADEMIC MEDICAL SERVICES AND RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

ABOUT HALF OF OUR FUNDING DERIVES FROM THE NIH AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS WHETHER IT'S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND SO THOSE INVESTMENTS IN SCIENCE AND SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY AND OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE REALLY VITAL.

WE WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS NOT ONLY THE PROSPECT OF A 50% REDUCTION IN TOTAL NIH FUNDING AND THE PROSPECT OF A REDUCTION OF WHAT IS CALLED INDIRECTS, WHICH IS THE PORTION OF GRANTS THAT SUPPORT BUILDINGS, YOU KNOW, ANIMAL REGULATIONS AND ANIMAL WELFARE, RADIATION SAFETY, BUILDINGS POWER, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH, BUT ALSO THE PIECE OF GRANTS THAT THEN SUPPORTS THE ACTUAL WORK THAT WE DO IN SCIENCE.

HELPING TO PAY SALARIES OF SCIENTISTS AND THE EXPERIMENTS PEOPLE DO.

>> Jeff: AND DOCTOR, THE WORK ITSELF, IS PROBABLY NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE EASILY PAUSED IF THERE WERE A GAP IN FUNDING AND FUNDING WAS RESTORED AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE -- I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE THAT IPHONE HAS A 60% MARGIN ON EVERY PHONE.

ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS WE RUN LESS THAN 2% MARGIN AND WE PAY LESS WE ARE PAYING OUR PHYSICIANS THAT WHAT IS CALLED AN AANC BENCHMARK NOT A PRIVATE PRACTICE BENCHMARK.

WE ARE PAYING OUR PHYSICIAN SCIENTISTS AND ACADEMIC FACULTY POSITIONS LESS.

WE PAY OUR PH.D. SCIENTISTS LESS.

WE RUN A VERY TIGHT SHIP.

AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MARGIN TO SUSTAIN SUDDEN LOSS IN FUNDING.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS EVEN NOT THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE THREAT OF A DROP IN THE INDIRECT SUPPORT OR THE FUTURE THREAT OF CUTTING THE NIH BUDGET FROM 48 BILLION DOWN TO THE LOW 20s, RIGHT NOW WE'RE BEING CUT BECAUSE MULTIPLE GRANTSES HAVE BEEN TERMINATED.

ALSO THERE'S BEEN A FREEZE IN RENEWAL OF CURRENT GRANTS AND NEW GRANTS AWARDED.

IN FACT, SINCE JANUARY, THERE'S BEEN 2.8 BILLION IN GRANTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MOVED WHICH NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED ALREADY BY NOW.

SO WE'RE SEEING THIS HUGE WAIVE OF DEFENDING THAT IS OCCURRING EVEN BEFORE WHAT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC REDUCTIONS IN FUNDING.

>> Jeff: IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETING CERTAIN TYPES OF RESEARCH?

OR IS THIS ACROSS THE BOARD?

>> YES, WHAT WE'RE SEEING FIRST OF ALL, THE FREEZE IN NEW GRANT RENEWALS AND IN NEW GRANT AWARDS THAT'S ALL GRANTSDS.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, NORMALLY, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REWARDED IN A TYPICAL YEAR WE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF GRANTSDS AND NOW WE'RE HAVING NO NEW GRANTS AWARDED.

THAT IS ALL GRANTS NO MATTER WHAT.

CANCER CARE, CANCER DRUG DEVELOPMENT, I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT OF NIH FUNDING ON WHAT WE DO LATER IF THAT'S OKAY.

BUT THE TERMINATED GRANTS HAVE BEEN VERY TARGETED.

WE HAVE SEEN TERMINATED GRANTS IN ANY HEALTH EQUITY MAKING HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.

WE'VE SEEN TERMINATIONS IN GRANTS THAT ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP OR PROMOTE SCIENTISTS THAT ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN MEDICINE.

THEY ARE BEING SORT OF CALLED D.E.I.

GRANTS.

WE'RE SEEING TERMINATED GRANTS IN GLOBAL HEALTH.

GRANTS FOR HIV CARE FOR VACCINE DEVELOPMENT.

WE'RE SEEING SOME TERMINATED GRANTS AROUND WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES.

THESE ARE THE BROAD AREAS WHERE GRANTS ARE BEING TERMINATED.

>> Jeff: DOCTOR, YOU BROUGHT UP THE IMPACT OF THIS AND A COUPLE THINGS COME TO MIND.

ONE, BALTIMORE CITY WITH TWO BIG ACADEMIC RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTERS.

BUT ALSO BROADLY LOOKING AT THE STATE, I MEAN NIH IS IN BETHESDA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LET ME BREAK THIS DOWN MAYBE ON BALTIMORE IS A MET L MED CITY AND LET ME EXPAND TO THE IMPACT ON OUR NATION AND AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS, JOBS, SCIENCE, HEALTHCARE, AND COMPETITION WITH CHINA.

IF I START LOCALLY, IN BALTIMORE, VIRTUALLY EVERY CITY IN AMERICA TODAY HAS LOST MANUFACTURING.

WE STILL HAVE DOMINOES SUGAR BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ECONOMY OF BALTIMORE THE BIGGEST EMPLOYERS ARE THE UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE AND JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY IN NORTHEAST BALTIMORE.

WE CONTRIBUTE TOGETHER ABOUT ALMOST $2 BILLION IN NIH FUNDING TO THE JOB ECONOMY TO THE DISCOVERY OF NEW TREATMENTS, TO HEALTHCARE DELIVERY THROUGH CLINICAL TRIALS.

THAT IS AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THIS LOCAL ECONOMY.

IN FACT, WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE I LIVED IN AN APARTMENT ON THE WATER AND EVERY PERSON IN THAT APARTMENT BUILDING WORKED AT HOPKINS OR THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

THERE'S THAT LOCAL ECONOMY.

YOU HAVE THE IMPACT ON THE GREATER DMV WITH NIH AND THE LAYOFFS AT NIH, FDA, HHS THAT IS AN ENORMOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT ON A BIG REGION AND AFFECTS MULTIPLE STATES INCLUDING VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND DC PROPER.

BUT I WANT TO TALK FOR A MINOT OWE AND BY THE WAY, I AM THE DEAN OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS ABOUT THE BEST JOBS, THE ECONOMY, THE HEALTH OF OUR NATION AND THE FUTURE COMPETITIVENESS OF SCIENCE.

IT IS NOT PARTISAN.

THE NIH WAS PUT TOGETHER BY EISENHOWER, THE NCI WAS FORMED BY RICHARD NIXON.

YOU KNOW, WE REALLY BUILD JOBS AND DISCOVERY SCIENCE IN EVERY STATE.

IN FACT, ALMOST EVERY CITY HAS A ED NIH FUNDED OPERATION.

UNIVERSITY ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM NUMBER ONE EMPLOYER IN ALABAMA.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM.

IN FACT A LOT OF NIH GRANTS GO TO TEXAS AND PENNSYLVANIA, SO-CALLED BATTLEGROUND STATES.

SO THIS IS A HUGE IMPACT ON AMERICAN CITIES THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT JOBS.

>> Jeff: I HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

I WANTED TO ASK THIS...

IT'S TOUGH TO PROVE IN ADVANCE THAT THE RESEARCH SPENDING IS GOING TO BE WORTHWHILE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH LAB IS GOING TO COME UP WITH WHICH TREATMENT.

MAYBE A LOT OF HOME RUNS MAYBE A LOT OF STRIKEOUTS.

BUT CUMULATIVELY WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE LOCALLY, WHAT STANDS OUT IN TERMS OF IMPACT?

>> OKAY I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED THIS QUESTION.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT F.D.A.

APPROVED DRUGS IN AMERICA, 99% DERIVED FROM THE BACKBONE OF SCIENCE THAT CAME FROM NIH FUNDING.

ALMOST 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS OF NIH FUNDING UNDERLIES EVERY F.D.A.

APPROVED DRUGS.

THE DRUGS THE GLP1 DRUGS CAME FROM NIH FUNDED RESEARCH.

ONE OF OUR FACULTY MEMBERS ORIGINALLY DISCOVERED THE GLP MOLECULE IN HEAL LA MONSTER VENOM WORKING AT THE NIH IT LEADS TO CURES AND TREATMENTS.

THE NEW CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS FOR CANCER WHICH ARE REVOLUTIONIZING AND CURING MELANOMA, LUNG CANCER AND BREAST CANCER THIS CAME FROM NIH FUNDED RESEARCH.

THE NIH MEDICAL CENTERS LIKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER WE ARE 5% OF HOSPITALS IN AMERICA WE TRAIN 70% OF DOCTORS AND NURSES.

RESEARCH.

WE DRIVE 4% OF JOBS IN AMERICA, THE BEST JOBS NURSES, DOCTORS, ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, RADIOLOGY TECHNICIANS THE BEST JOBS AND WE CONTRIBUTE TO 4% OF THE GDP JUST AT THESE ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS AND 5% OF HOSPITALS TAKE CARE OF 25% OF AMERICANS.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE COME FOR THE REALLY COMPLEX THINGS.

THE HEART TRANSPLANTS THE ADVANCED HEART SURGERIES, THE TREATMENTS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW.

SO THIS NIH FORMS A BACKBONE OF THE ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS AND MAKES US COMPETITIVE.

I WILL END BY SAYING OUR BIGGEST COMPETITOR NOW IS CHINA.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THEY ARE NOW PUBLISHING MORE ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES IN BIOMEDICINE THAN US.

IT'S NEVER HAPPENED SINCE WORLD WAR II.

THEY ARE PUMPING MONEY AND COPYING WHAT WE DID AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

>> Jeff: Dr. MARK GLADWIN IS THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: A NEW REPORT LOOKS AT WEATHER STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY CELLPHONES IN SCHOOLS.

POLICIES VARY WIDELY THOUGH THERE IS A NATIONAL TREND TOWARDS INCREASING RESTRICTIONS ON HAVING OR USING PHONES IN SCHOOL.

[♪♪] JOINING US NOW Dr. MYRIAM ROGERS WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND Dr. DEREK SIMMONS WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU WERE BOTH ON THIS TASK FORCE.

LET ME BEGIN BY JUST FINDING OUT WHAT POLICY YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS ABOUT CELLPHONES NOW AND WE'LL START ON THE EASTERN SHORE WITH Dr. SIMMONS.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

PRESENTLY OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM THEY ARE NOT IN USE IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

WE DID IMPLEMENT A PILOT IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS FOR OUR STUDENTS WHERE THEY WERE ISSUED A POUCH AND THE CELLPHONE MUST BE IN THE POUCH DURING THE DAY THEY CANNOT ACCESS FROM THE MINUTE UNTIL THEY WALK IN UNTIL THEY WALKOUT.

AND IT'S GONE WELL FOR US.

>> Jeff: IS THAT POUCH I'VE SEEN PICTURES.

IT IS A LOCKING DEVICE OR SOME SORT OF RADIO FREQUENCY ISOLATION THING.

>> IT IS A POUCH, THAT HAS A MAGNETIC LOCK THE BRAND WE USE IS YONDER.

IT IS A MAGNETIC LOCK AND THE STUDENTS DROP THE DEVICE IN AND CLOSE IT UP AND THEY WALKOUT THEY TOUCH THE UNLOCKING MECHANISM AND TAKE THEIR PHONE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

THE PHONE WILL BUZZ IF IT'S ON IN THERE.

BUT IT'S GONE WELL FOR US.

>> Jeff: Dr. ROGERS WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY?

>> SO WE HAVE AN OFF AND AWAY POLICY DIFFERENTIATED BY GRADE LEVEL.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS MUCH MORE STRICT.

THE STUDENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE THEIR PHONES OUT OR IN USE.

IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WE HAVE GIVEN OUR STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL SOME SCHOOLS ALLOW THEM TO USE THE CELLPHONES DURING LUNCH.

HIGH SCHOOL OFF AND AWAY, THE MOST FREEDOM IF YOU WILL, WHERE STUDENTS IN ADDITION TO BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR CELLPHONES IN-BETWEEN CLASSES.

LIKE MY COLLEAGUE WE DID A PILOT THIS YEAR SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT GROUP WE USED SECONDARY SCHOOLS VOLUNTEER.

WE HAD MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND SOME HIGH SCHOOLS.

WE USED THE POUCHES THAT COULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM.

AND WE LEARNED THAT FLEXIBILITY WAS A KEY.

SO WE ALSO WENT TO CLEAR ENVELOPES WITH VELCRO TO THE DESK AND THE CLEAR PENCIL CASES FIXED TO THE DESK BECAUSE THE STUDENTS WANT THAT SECURITY OF THE PHONE NOT FAR AWAY BUT THEY WILL PUT IT AWAY AND WE'VE HAD GREAT RESULTS IN TERMS OF INSTRUCTION AND LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THAT PILOT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

>> Jeff: IS ANYBODY UNHAPPY WITH THE STATUS QUO RIGHT NOW IN YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SURVEYING OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF SINCE WE PILOTED THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THE STAFF ARE PLEASED WITH THE CELLPHONE POLICY.

STUDENTS NOT SO MUCH.

AGAIN, IF YOU ASK A 12, 13, 14-YEAR-OLD IF THEY COULD BE ON THEIR DEVICE THE ANSWER WOULD BE YES.

I WILL TELL YOU THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT IS UP.

DISCIPLINE OFFENSES ARE DOWN.

SO THE ADULTS ARE GOING TO WIN THIS ONE FOR US.

>> Jeff: I KNOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONSIDERED SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION ON THIS TOPIC NOTHING PASSED WHICH EITHER MEANS THERE'S NO CONSENSUS YET OR NOBODY SAW IT AS A BIG ISSUE.

Dr. ROGERS, DO WE NEED LEGISLATION?

OR IS THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY WORKING THIS OUT SUCCESSFULLY?

>> I THINK THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY IN MARYLAND IS WORKING THIS OUT SUCCESSFULLY.

THAT IS HOW WE CAME TO BE A PART OF THE TASK FORCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS UNIFORM GUIDANCE ACROSS THE STATE IN TERMS OF OUR EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH CELLPHONE.

I THINK A LARGE PART OF THAT IS THE EDUCATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CELLPHONES NOT ONLY ON THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT BUT THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS.

>> Jeff: YEAH, AND IN TERMS OF THEIR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING YOU THINK ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND ALL THE RISKS THAT COME ALONG WITH THAT, BULLYING AND SO FORTH.

PROBABLY DON'T NEED THAT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YOU ARE 100% CORRECT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE SAW IN THE SCHOOLINGS THAT IMPLEMENTED THE PILOT WITH FIDELITY LOWER INCIDENTS OF ISSUES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA THAT FOUND THEIR WAY INTO SCHOOLS.

STUDENTS WERE FOCUSED ON SPEAKING WITH EACH OTHER AND ENGAGING WITH THE LESSONS WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO.

>> Jeff: I THINK IT WAS YOUR POINT EARLIER THAT IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SECURITY BLANKET.

YOU DIDN'T USE THAT TERM BUT KIDS ARE ATTACHED TO THEIR PHONES.

AND OBVIOUSLY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF LOCKING IT AWAY OR NOT HAVING IT ON THEIR BODY OR NEAR IT FOR A FULL SCHOOL DAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

STUDENTS AND I WOULD SAY ADULTS, ARE VERY CONNECTED TO THEIR CELLPHONES.

AND WE DID A SURVEY BEFORE WE DID THE PILOT AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE RESPONDED, PARENTS, TEACHERS, WE DIDN'T WANT REPRESENTATIVES WE WANTED THE TEACHERS TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS LIKE Dr. SIMMONS THE STUDENTS WOULD LOVE 24/7 ACCESS BUT WHAT WE FOUND WHEN WE SURVEYED THE STUDENTS PART OF THE PILOT IS THAT THEY SAID THEY DON'T LIKE HAVING TO GIVE UP THE CELLPHONE BUT ADMITTED IT WAS BETTER FOR THEM, BETTER FOR INSTRUCTION, BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE CLASSROOM.

PEOPLE ARE ATTACHED AND WE FOUND IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT SHOWS EITHER THE CLEAR ENVELOPES THAT WERE AFFIXED TO THE DESK OR THE CASES THAT THEY WERE IN SIGHT THAT HELPED TO GIVE THE PARENTS A SENSE OF PEACE IN CASE THERE'S EVER AN EMERGENCY THAT THE PHONES ARE NOT SO FAR AWAY THAT STUDENTS CANNOT CONTACT THEM.

WE FOUND THAT TO BE A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND.

>> Jeff: YOUR TIME ON THIS TASK FORCE CHANGED YOUR OPINION ON ANYTHING?

OR IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE?

>> ABSOLUTELY GREAT QUESTION.

SO I WOULD SAY THE TASK FORCE OPENED MY EYES TO THE NEED FOR LOCAL DECISION MAKING AND FLEXIBILITY.

AS IT RELATES TO THE CELLPHONE APPROACH.

WHAT MAY WORK IN CAROLINE COUNTY FOR ME TO IMPLEMENT CELLPHONE POUCHES FOR MY MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT IS TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

IT IS NOT THE SAME AS Dr. ROGERS OR WE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THE COST FACTOR IS REAL.

THE COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

IN MY COMMUNITY, THE SAFETY AND SECURITY COMPONENT POPPED UP A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IF I NEED TO GET AHOLD OF MY CHILD BECAUSE THERE IS AN EMERGENCY OR HEAVEN FORBID A CRISIS AT A SCHOOL, SO IN OUR COMMUNITY A FEASIBLE OPTION WAS TO BUY HEAVY SHEERS FOR OUR TEACHERS SO THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN POUCH OPEN IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

SMALL THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THOSE WERE LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR THINGS THAT WORKED WELL FOR ME.

THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS AND Dr. TAYLOR SUGGESTED THAT HE HAS SCHOOLS THAT HAVE DONE WELL WITH THE KEEP YOUR CELLPHONE AWAY POLICY.

WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE HANDLING THAT.

THE KIDS ARE MONITORING THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT LEVEL OF SUCCESS.

OUR STAFF WANTED A MORE SECURE OPTION LIKE THE POUCHES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THINGS TO FIGURE OUT WHEN WE GET TO HIGH SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE THE POUCHES MIGHT NOT BE AS APPRECIATED.

BUT WE MIGHT BE LOOKING AT OPTIONS THAT Dr. ROGERS HAS DISCUSSED.

BUT THE TASK FORCE REALLY OPENED OUR EYES TO THERE'S MANY SOLUTIONS TO THIS.

AND A LOT OF TIMES THE BEST SOLUTIONS ARE THOSE THAT ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY.

THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS AND THE VALUES THAT EXIST THERE.

>> Jeff: Dr. ROGERS, ANY ADVICE FOR PARENTS?

BROADLY ON THE TOPIC OF CELLPHONES, BECAUSE CERTAINLY PEOPLE COME AT IT WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES WHETHER YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE A CELLPHONE AT CERTAIN AGES, ANYTHING THAT YOU SEE PEOPLE MAYBE THEY ARE DOING IT WRONG THEY COULD DO IT BETTER THEY COULD LEARN FROM WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN?

>> I CAN'T SAY THEY ARE DOING IT WRONG AS A FELLOW PARENT I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED FOR US WE WORKED WITH OUR COUNCIL OF PTA'S SO THEY PARTNERED WITH US FROM THE BEGINNING TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EVERY SCHOOL TO SHARE WITH PARENTS FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE HOW THEY COULD MAKE SURE THAT THEIR STUDENTS, CHILDREN, WERE USING THE CELLPHONES RESPONSIBLY.

THEY HOSTED THE SHOWING OF THE UPDATED SCREEN MOVIE TO GIVE PARENTS GREATER INSIGHT.

>> Jeff: HOUR THANKS TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT