PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) \u2014 A major shift in classroom technology is underway in the nation’s second-largest school district\u2014and it could influence future conversations in Oregon and Washington.<\/p>\n
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has approved some of the strictest limits in the country on student screen time, signaling a move away from constant device use and toward more teacher-led instruction, hands-on learning, and face-to-face interaction.<\/p>\n
For more than a decade, schools nationwide have embraced one-to-one technology initiatives, placing Chromebooks and tablets in the hands of nearly every student. LAUSD is now taking a different approach.<\/p>\n
Under the new policy:<\/p>\n
Preschool through first grade: No screens during the school day.Second and third grade: Maximum of 20 minutes of screen time per day.Fourth and fifth grade: Maximum of 30 minutes per day.Middle and high school: Weekly screen time limits.<\/p>\n
The district says homework will count toward those totals, and software will be used to monitor student device usage.<\/p>\n
District leaders say technology is not being eliminated. Instead, the goal is to create more opportunities for reading, writing, classroom discussion, and hands-on learning while ensuring technology is used intentionally.<\/p>\n
The policy is drawing attention in Portland<\/p>\n
Amira Shultz, a Portland parent and member of the advocacy group Schools Beyond Screens, says LAUSD spent years researching and developing its policy.<\/p>\n
“We were really excited because LAUSD has worked for over two years on developing this policy. They’ve done a lot of research, and it feels like a good foundation for Portland Public Schools to start from,” Shultz said.<\/p>\n