Chesterfield County Public Schools Reduces Middle School Screen Time Following Parental Advocacy
Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) in Virginia is implementing significant reductions in classroom screen time, particularly at Midlothian Middle School, in response to sustained pressure from parents. Midlothian Middle School Principal Arianne Hayes announced that students will not receive their Chromebooks until the third week of school, emphasizing a return to traditional learning methods like pencil, paper, and dry-erase markers. When devices are introduced, their use will be limited to approximately 20 minutes per class, primarily for formative or summative assessments. This shift also includes a district-wide decision by Superintendent John Murray to no longer send Chromebooks home with students in kindergarten through second grade, a practice that became common during the pandemic. Parents, such as Amber Rhodes and Taylor Butler, have been vocal advocates for these changes, expressing concerns about the extensive use of screens in early education and its potential impact on child development.... 
