Mesa Public Schools Implements 30-Minute Screen Time Limit for Early Grades
Mesa Public Schools Governing Board has approved a new policy limiting technology use for students, starting with a 30-minute daily maximum for early grades. This policy will scale up to a 180-minute maximum by high school. The updated policy aims to prevent technology from overshadowing other forms of learning, emphasizing personal interaction, active learning, and essential instructional experiences. For Kindergarten through second grade, the daily average screen time is capped at 20 minutes, with a strict maximum of 30 minutes. In these early grades, screens are intended as a brief supplement, primarily for specific district or state technology standards, while core instruction focuses on hands-on learning, handwriting, direct teacher interaction, manipulatives, and play-based learning. The policy also outlines limits for higher grades: 45-minute average for third to sixth grade, 120-minute average for seventh and eighth grade, and 150-minute average for high school. Exclusions from these time caps incl...
