Midland ISD to remove take‑home Chromebooks for grades PK–8, tighten screen‑time rules and keep 1:1 for high school

Midland Independent School District technology leaders presented a new instructional technology plan Tuesday that removes take‑home devices for most elementary and middle school grades, replaces individual assignments with classroom Chromebook or iPad sets for preK–8, and retains a 1:1 device model for high school students.

Miss Munoz and Miss Bueno said the district's goal is to reduce passive screen time and increase productive, standards‑aligned uses of technology. The plan will block YouTube by default, disable student‑to‑student file‑sharing, and supply consumable paper workbooks and classroom materials so students do not need devices for homework in K–8 classrooms, they said.

High‑school students (grades 9–12) will continue to receive assigned devices because of the independent coursework, dual‑credit requirements and college readiness needs that require regular at‑home access, presenters added. Technology staff said they will maintain exceptions and necessary access for students with IEPs and that the district will continue to provide devices to meet those legal accommodations.

Trustees focused questions on how the new model will be enforced and monitored, how parents will be notified, whether campuses have sufficient on‑site IT support, and how the district will respond to students who attempt to bypass filters with proxies. Presenters said the district uses GoGuardian and other monitoring tools, will deliver staff and parent trainings, is cross‑training technicians to repair devices in‑house and will coordinate disciplinary responses when acceptable use agreements are violated.

The administration said the shift is supported financially by state curriculum entitlements and that consumable workbooks are being purchased to replace the need for take‑home devices in the lower grades. Trustees asked for clear rollout communications and implementation monitoring in the coming months.