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District advisory group recommends age-banded device-use guidelines, screen-time breaks and family partnerships
Summary
LISD’s School Health Advisory Council proposed grade-band recommendations for device use, including focused learning only on devices, time limits per age band and scheduled screen breaks; the board praised the locally developed guidance.
Melanie Ditzilet, director of health services, and Trish Cutler presented recommendations from the district’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) on classroom device use and screen time.
SHAC used TEA’s CQC policy guidance as a baseline and organized recommendations by grade bands: pre-K–K, grades 1–2, grades 3–5 and middle school. The committee recommended that devices be used for focused instructional purposes and stored when not in use; recommend device-free recess and lunches; and that teachers use classroom management tools to monitor student activity.
On time limits, SHAC proposed age-appropriate maximum continuous device-use spans before a break: pre-K–K, 10–15 minutes; grades 1–2, 15–20 minutes; grades 3–5, 20–30 minutes; middle school, 20–30 minutes with at least one intentional “screen break” activity during a class period. The committee also recommended ergonomics/“body placement” guidance and family partnerships such as device-free meals and device storage at least an hour before bedtime.
Trustees praised the detail and asked about monitoring and training. Cutler and Ditzilet said implementation would include staff training beginning in summer and campus-level communications to parents; monitoring will rely on teacher planning and classroom management rather than daily district enforcement.
Ending: The recommendation will inform administrative regulations and teacher training; SHAC will return with the annual report in October.
