LAUSD limits classroom screens

Los Angeles Unified School District board unanimously approved rules Tuesday to cap classroom screen time and let parents opt their kids out of non-essential device use. (cbsnews.com) The 6-0 vote requires staff to draft a full technology-use policy by June for the 2026-2027 school year, with schools tracking daily student screen time and reporting it to parents annually. (cbsnews.com) LAUSD, the nation's second-largest district, serves 420,000 students across 900 schools in Los Angeles County. (lausd.org) Board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin, who proposed the resolution with Nick Melvoin, cited research linking excessive screen time to attention deficits and sleep disruption in children. (cbsnews.com) The policy bans recreational screen use like YouTube or gaming during class, prioritizing tools for core instruction while mandating annual reviews to adjust limits based on data. (sea.mashable.com) Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend kids ages 5-18 limit recreational screens to under two hours daily outside schoolwork, amid rising concerns over tech addiction. (aap.org) A 2023 Common Sense Media report found U.S. middle schoolers average 4.8 hours of screen time daily, not counting school, fueling debates on edtech overload post-pandemic. (commonsensemedia.org) Teachers' union representatives supported the measure but stressed devices remain vital for personalized learning in under-resourced classrooms. LAUSD tech coordinator said tracking will use existing software without new costs. (cbsnews.com) Similar restrictions passed in New York City's schools last year, limiting devices to 45 minutes per class period, though enforcement varies by campus. (nytimes.com) Opt-out forms go to parents next fall, with schools required to offer screen-free alternatives like books or hands-on activities. (sea.mashable.com)