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LAUSD Implements New Screen Time Policy, Teachers Adapt to Reduced Digital Instruction

LAUSD Implements New Screen Time Policy, Teachers Adapt to Reduced Digital Instruction

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has enacted a new policy significantly restricting screen time for students across all grade levels. For early education through first grade, the use of district-issued devices is generally prohibited. For older students, caps are in place, with screen time allowances increasing with grade level; high school students are permitted up to 90 minutes per week per subject area. This policy, passed in June, stems from parental advocacy for more teacher-led instruction, hands-on activities, and peer interaction, citing concerns about students' emotional regulation and over-reliance on digital devices. As a result, teachers like Armaghan Khan, an eighth-grade teacher at Johnnie Cochran Jr. Middle School, are re-evaluating lesson plans that were previously built around laptops, tablets, and digital instructional programs. The changes, which will fully go into effect in January, present challenges for educators who have integrated technology into their curricula for y...

Dallas ISD Implements New Guidelines Limiting Classroom Screen Time for Students

Dallas ISD Implements New Guidelines Limiting Classroom Screen Time for Students

Dallas Independent School District (ISD) has introduced new guidelines to limit screen time for students in classrooms. These recommendations suggest that pre-kindergarten through second-grade students should spend less than one hour daily on screens. For third through fifth graders, the limit is set at less than 1.5 hours, while sixth through eighth graders are advised a maximum of two hours. High school students do not have specific daily limits due to the varied nature of their course selections, which may require different levels of screen use. The district emphasizes that teachers should not use extra screen time as a reward and should be mindful of how frequently video is used for instruction. This initiative aligns with similar efforts by other North Texas districts, such as Richardson ISD and Garland ISD, to curb passive device usage and promote more active learning. The guidelines also follow a Texas Legislature bill, enacted last school year, that banned student cell phone use during school hours...

Stride, Inc. Advances Online Education and Personalized Learning for Diverse U.S. Learners

Stride, Inc. Advances Online Education and Personalized Learning for Diverse U.S. Learners

Stride, Inc. Advances Online Education and Personalized Learning for Diverse U.S. Learners

McGraw Hill Seeks Senior Software Engineer to Enhance Digital Learning Platforms

McGraw Hill Seeks Senior Software Engineer to Enhance Digital Learning Platforms

McGraw Hill Seeks Senior Software Engineer to Enhance Digital Learning Platforms

Gates Foundation's $400 Million AI Education Pledge Raises Expert Concerns

Gates Foundation's $400 Million AI Education Pledge Raises Expert Concerns

The Gates Foundation's recent announcement of a $1 billion initiative to expand artificial intelligence, with a significant portion—approximately $400 million over two years—earmarked for U.S. schools, has drawn skepticism from education experts. The foundation aims to ensure AI narrows, rather than widens, educational disparities, funding initiatives such as AI tutoring. This pledge is part of a larger commitment to spend $200 billion by 2045. Mark Suzman, the foundation's CEO, cited early successes from AI education pilots, including an AI tool called Kiddom Atlas, which analyzes student feedback and helps teachers adjust lesson plans. Michelle Odemwingie, CEO of the Achievement Network, noted that one math teacher using Atlas saw academic growth in every student in their class. However, Odemwingie cautioned that the approach's scalability is unproven. Experts like Sarah Reckhow, a political science professor at Michigan State University, express wariness, pointing to the foundation's past K-12 initiativ...

Rhode Island Study Links Consistent Arts Education to Reduced Student Absenteeism

Rhode Island Study Links Consistent Arts Education to Reduced Student Absenteeism

Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green, and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) Executive Director Todd Trebour announced the findings of a new statistical review. This study, titled 'Chronic Absenteeism and Arts Participation in Rhode Island Public Schools: A Statistical Review,' reveals a strong association between sustained participation in arts education and lower rates of chronic absenteeism among public school students in Rhode Island. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10 percent of the school year. The research, conducted by Quadrant as part of the Arts Education Data Project, analyzed data from 2018 to 2025. It found that arts participation was linked to lower absenteeism across all K-12 grades. Notably, high school seniors who participated in arts education between 2021 and 2025 showed approximately 19 percent lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to their non-arts participating classmates. The most significant correlation w...

UC Regents Debate Reinstatement of SAT for Admissions Amidst Declining Math Scores

UC Regents Debate Reinstatement of SAT for Admissions Amidst Declining Math Scores

The University of California (UC) Regents are currently engaged in a significant public discussion regarding the potential reintroduction of SAT testing requirements for university admissions. This debate has been fueled by concerns from math and science faculty across the nine undergraduate campuses, who report a five-year decline in average grades for preparatory math, precalculus, and calculus courses, alongside an increase in D and F grades, no-pass marks, and withdrawals in these subjects. Over 3,000 UC faculty members have signed letters advocating for the SAT's return, citing a perceived lack of basic math and reasoning skills among some first-year students. Conversely, admissions officials from UCLA and UC Riverside have presented data suggesting that students admitted without test scores are not less likely to stay in school or graduate, with retention and graduation rates remaining stable or even increasing. Regent Jay Sures, who previously voted to eliminate the SAT, indicated he is reconsiderin...

ESS Acquires HeyTutor to Expand K-12 Workforce Solutions with Tutoring and Academic Intervention Services

ESS Acquires HeyTutor to Expand K-12 Workforce Solutions with Tutoring and Academic Intervention Services

ESS, a prominent provider of K-12 workforce solutions, has announced its acquisition of HeyTutor. HeyTutor is a technology-enabled company specializing in in-person tutoring, paraprofessional management, and academic intervention services for school districts across the United States. This strategic move aims to bolster ESS's capabilities in addressing critical K-12 learning gaps and evolving student support requirements. The integration of HeyTutor's data-driven tutoring platform into ESS's existing portfolio is designed to offer a more comprehensive solution for school districts facing post-pandemic educational challenges and workforce shortages. ESS currently serves over 1,200 districts nationwide, impacting more than 8 million students daily. HeyTutor's model combines in-person instructional support with technology-enabled workforce management, curriculum delivery, and student progress monitoring, providing high-dosage tutoring, bilingual tutoring, and paraprofessional support.

New York City Lawmakers Propose Sweeping YouTube Ban in Schools Amid Concerns Over Student Well-being

New York City Lawmakers Propose Sweeping YouTube Ban in Schools Amid Concerns Over Student Well-being

New York City lawmakers are advocating for a comprehensive ban on YouTube access for nearly one million students within the city's school system. This proposal, spearheaded by City Council members Shekar Krishnan, chair of the Oversight and Investigations Committee, and Eric Dinowitz, chair of the Education Committee, follows a recent ban on generative AI for younger grade levels. The proposed ban would prevent students from viewing YouTube on any device, whether personal or school-issued. Lawmakers cite declining test scores and complaints from parents and teachers regarding the app's negative impact on students. While teachers could still use YouTube for educational purposes, they would need to provide justification to the Department of Education. The initiative also includes calls to eliminate individual devices for students from kindergarten through fifth grade, advocating for a return to traditional paper and pencil for standardized tests. This shift could influence classroom practices, as some educat...

New York City Council Members Advocate for Stricter Student Screen Time and AI Restrictions

New York City Council Members Advocate for Stricter Student Screen Time and AI Restrictions

New York City Council members are pushing for more stringent regulations on student screen time and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public schools, arguing that current policies do not go far enough. This follows the city's recent implementation of new guidelines, which include a one-year ban on generative AI for students in grades eight and under, and a prohibition on individual devices for children in grades two and under. For students in grades three through five, recommended screen time is limited to 30 minutes, and for grades six through eight, it is 45 minutes. Council members, including Shekar Krishnan and Eric Dinowitz, are advocating for extending the ban on individual screen time through fifth grade, preventing elementary students from taking home school-issued devices, and returning to pencil and paper for exams, including state tests. They also seek to restrict student-led YouTube usage and gamified learning in classrooms. School officials have already taken steps to filter YouTube a...

Sweden Reintroduces Traditional Learning Methods, Moving Away from Digital-First Education

Sweden Reintroduces Traditional Learning Methods, Moving Away from Digital-First Education

Sweden is implementing a significant shift in its educational strategy by reintroducing traditional learning methods. This reform involves moving away from a digital-first approach in schools and bringing back practices such as handwriting, physical textbooks, and paper assignments. The decision reflects a re-evaluation of the previous emphasis on digital tools in the classroom. Reports indicate that this change is intended to enhance traditional learning skills among students. This move signifies a broader reconsideration of how technology is integrated into the educational environment and the potential benefits of more conventional teaching techniques for foundational learning.

First Lady Melania Trump Advocates for AI Education in North Carolina School Visit Amidst Regulatory Debates

First Lady Melania Trump Advocates for AI Education in North Carolina School Visit Amidst Regulatory Debates

First Lady Melania Trump visited Mountain View Elementary School in Jefferson, North Carolina, to discuss the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. During her visit, she emphasized the importance of students learning AI for the U.S. to maintain global leadership in the field. This visit comes as tech and political leaders are actively debating the regulation of AI, with President Trump having previously dismissed calls for more limits on the technology as a 'hoax.' The First Lady observed students engaging in AI experiments, including generating videos and building chatbots, and announced that her Be Best initiative would provide AI learning platforms and developer kits to 1,500 students in Ashe County. She highlighted that technology in education is a key focus of her initiatives, alongside advocating for foster children and supporting legislation against revenge porn.