Districtwide Technology Update

In recent months, we have received thoughtful feedback from families and staff about student engagement and students’ overall health and well-being. In response to this feedback, as well as our evolving understanding of technology integration in the classroom, the District is implementing revised guidelines for student technology use. Our goal is to ensure that technology is used intentionally, developmentally appropriately, and in ways that best support student learning, wellness and healthy digital habits. The following guidelines will be implemented for each grade band:

• PreK: Preschool will be a Chromebook-free environment. Instruction should prioritize play, movement, language, art, music, fine motor skills, books and relationships. 

• Grades K-1: Students in Grades K-1 will no longer have 1:1 devices, and will only use devices for specific educational programming, required testing, accessibility needs or documented student-specific supports. Chromebook screen time, which will be spent on Lexia and Dreambox lessons to strengthen their skills in literacy and math, will be less than 30 minutes throughout the day. Devices are stored in the classroom and students do not take them home. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place.

• Grade 2: Each classroom will be assigned a set of 12 Chromebooks for shared usage. Students will spend less than one hour throughout the day on devices for lessons on Lexia and Dreambox for literacy and math skills, typing skills, and required assessments. The devices will be stored in the classroom and will not be taken home. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place.

• Grade 3: Each classroom will be assigned a set of shared Chromebooks equal to the number of students in the class. Students will spend less than one hour throughout the day on devices for lessons on Lexia and Dreambox for literacy and math skills, and required assessments. The devices will be stored in the classroom and will not be taken home. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place. 

• Grades 4-5: Students in Grades 4-5 will complete daily lessons on Lexia and Dreambox for literacy and math skills. Each classroom will be assigned a set of shared Chromebooks equal to the number of students in the class. The devices will be reserved for limited, scheduled, teacher-directed use such as research, publishing, digital creation, assessment, accessibility and targeted intervention. Students will spend less than 90 minutes chunked throughout the day on Chromebooks. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place.

• Grades 6-8: Digital work will primarily occur during the school day, with a limited exception process for documented student needs. Homework will be redesigned so students can complete most assignments at home without a District device. Students in Grades 6-8 will spend less than two hours on a Chromebook daily. In Grades 6-7, the District will be working to install charging devices at school during the first semester, with the goal of moving away from students taking devices home on a regular basis. Students will take devices home in Grade 8. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place.

• Grades 9-12: High School student Chromebook use will vary daily by student and program of study. Each student will continue to have an assigned device that they take home on a regular basis. Students will use devices for coursework, assessments, research, writing, accessibility and college/career readiness. Staff are working to strengthen guidelines for intentional use, screen breaks, AI guidance, paper-first planning, handwritten notetaking and digital wellness. The number of websites that students have access to will be significantly limited, with more stringent web filtering and monitoring systems in place.

• There may be occasions where a student requires the use of technology including assistive technology, AAC, IEP/504 accommodations, multilingual learner support, and required accessibility tools.

District families may also use LightSpeed to monitor student device usage and screentime. Lightspeed is a school technology tool that provides reports on daily/weekly screen time and applications and websites that the students use. On Sunday, August 16, all District families received an email from do_not_reply@lightspeedsystems.com. This email invitation will allow families to set up an account with Lightspeed and monitor student Chromebook usage.

These updated guidelines are supported by recent research and best practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that device guidance should consider quality, context and content, rather than relying on a universal screen time limit. The National Association for the Education of Young Children emphasizes that technology should be used with young children when it is intentional, developmentally appropriate and supportive of learning.

The changes described above will begin to be put in place at the beginning of the school year and will continue to be rolled out over the course of the year. The District will also continue to monitor technology integration and recent research to inform adjustments over time. 

Artificial intelligence is also included in our planning for technology use in classrooms. The District is pausing access to educational AI tools in K-5 until we can further evaluate its usefulness. In Grade 6-12, there are learning opportunities for students using AI in a manner that is regulated by a teacher. Students have restricted access to some educational AI tools that are beneficial in their learning experience, however, student safety and wellness remains our top priority. Students do not have access to open-source, generative AI tools, like ChatGPT and Gemini. We continue to monitor and refine AI policies and guidance.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to create learning environments that support every student's academic success, well-being and healthy relationship with technology.