High school student urges return to more paper-based learning, cites survey and test declines

Willow Elliot, a Pilaski County High School student, told the school board she researched classroom dependence on Chromebooks and argued the district should reintroduce more paper‑based work. "Writing notes helps them," she said, summarizing student responses that favored handwritten notes for retention.

Elliot said she surveyed 32 high school students and reported that 90% use school devices daily, 62% said they are sometimes distracted by screens and 31% said they are distracted very often. She cited a national trend in which one cited mathematics test showed eighth‑grade proficiency falling from 74% in 2013 to 61% in 2025 and connected that decline to increased device use in schools.

Elliot recommended practical steps: teach note‑taking skills in short workshops, provide basic materials through literacy kits (notebooks, pencils, highlighters), and reintroduce paper assignments in classes. "If we can get back to the note‑taking and paper assignments I think there would be a lot more student focus in schools," she told the board.

Board members thanked Elliot for the presentation and noted the topic aligns with district conversations about device use, with one member saying leadership will discuss possible changes for kindergarten through second grade at an upcoming meeting. The presentation concluded with board members describing it as timely input as the district re‑evaluates technology use following pandemic‑era changes.

The board did not adopt a formal policy change at the meeting; members said the issue will be discussed further by leadership teams.