A clear policy statement from the Board of Education that reflects the current understanding that excessive screen use harms kids and undermines learning in multiple ways, and technology should be safe and used only when backed by evidence.
Clear guidance to schools on appropriate amount and types of screen use from smartboards as well as student-facing devices such as Chromebooks;
Minimal to no student-facing screen use for K-5, especially the youngest learners;
No one-to-one devices, moving to a cart or lab model for all students so Chromebooks are accessible for learning, but not a constant distraction;
No generative AI use for students. AI in education is an experiment and current research demonstrates that the risks of using generative artificial intelligence to educate children and teens currently overshadow the benefits.
No social media access on school-issued devices, including You Tube. The harm of social media on school-devices outweighs the benefits as evidenced by Maryland's participation in a settlement with Meta, and BCPS' ongoing litigation against social media companies.
Right to parent information on time spent on school-issued devices, including sites and digital products accessed by students, inside and outside of school hours;
Right to opt out of technology use at school and for homework via a formal process, along with teacher resources to make sure that opting out is a viable option for students to continue to learn; and
Instruction on computer skills, media, and artificial intelligence awareness, including thoughtful implementation of Maryland's Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act. All training and curriculum must be evidence-based.
Resources to empower parents to have conversations with their principals and teachers. We provide best practices and opportunities to connect and share ideas with other parents.
A comprehensive technology audit conducted by BCPSS to ascertain how long students are on screens, what they are accessing and for what purpose, the number and costs of technology contracts, and whether all digital products comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which gives parents the right to provide written consent before City Schools discloses your child's personally identifiable information, with certain exceptions.