Parents press APS for stricter screen-time limits as district puts policy on first read

Scores of parents and teachers used the board’s public-comment period to press for a stronger student screen-time policy, which the board placed on first read.

Speakers suggested explicit, enforceable limits (for example, 30 minutes per day for primary grades and 60 minutes for upper elementary) and clearer operational definitions of “screen value” to distinguish active instruction from passive consumption. Joanna Bidani, a parent, described a decline in her first grader’s attention and criticized inconsistent classroom practice: “We are not anti-technology, but children need to see adults approach tech with a degree of skepticism and criticality.”

Educators and technology specialists asked for accountability and measurement: they urged APS to provide data transparency on device use by grade band, give teachers the resources to replace screen time with hands-on activities, and allow parents to opt in for their child to take devices home. David Guy, a computer-science teacher, called for classroom carts and labs rather than one-to-one device programs in early grades.

The policy’s first read frames technology as a tool to support — not drive — instruction and promises community engagement sessions. Board members said they will organize workshops and continue policy committee review before bringing a final draft back for adoption.

District staff also acknowledged that any shift away from devices requires training, materials and a plan to protect student privacy while maintaining instructional continuity. The board invited parents and staff to participate in forthcoming public sessions to refine implementation details and to ensure consistent, equitable application across schools.

Next procedural steps: the policy remains on first read, the policy committee will host public engagement, and the board expects revisions before a final adoption vote.