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Parents, students urge limits on EdTech, call for Eid recognition after testing conflicts
Summary
During public comment, parents and students urged Malden Public Schools to reduce mandatory classroom EdTech, implement screen-free indoor recess, and consider recognizing Eid holidays after recurring MCAS conflicts with religious observances.
Several parents and students used the public-comment period on June 1 to press the Malden School Committee on classroom technology use and the academic calendar.
Dr. Liz Tonak Banwa told the committee she hoped the superintendent’s strategic plan would ‘‘call for a reduction in EdTech’’ and criticized mandatory use of i-Ready and CourseMojo as promoting screen fatigue and diminishing curiosity. She raised a concern about student data privacy, asking whether the district would keep track of families who join a federal class action alleging a vendor shared sensitive student information.
"The repeated use of EdTech has poisoned our students' attitudes towards learning," she said, asking for differentiated use of technology through school-based MTSS teams.
Several speakers urged changes to the calendar for Muslim holidays after Eid al-Adha coincided with state testing for eighth graders on May 27. Abdul Wahab recounted that 264 eighth graders were tested that morning and urged the district to adopt scheduling used by neighboring cities that avoids testing on major religious holidays.
Student speakers, including Miriam Bushto and Zenadine, asked the committee to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and encouraged policies that would allow students to fully participate in religious observance without academic penalty. Bushto said recognition would signal that Muslim students ‘‘are valued members of the school community and that our traditions matter too."
A pediatrician and parent, Rashna Virani, requested a district policy for screen-free indoor recess, saying play is critical to development and that many classrooms allow Chromebook use during indoor recess.
The committee heard these concerns and noted follow-up steps: administration said religious excused absences exist, that neighboring districts have adjusted schedules for holidays, and that the district will consider calendar options and communication clarifications. The bullying-prevention and other policy work scheduled for the summer could intersect with technology and notification guidance.
What happens next: Administration will review calendar options and consider policy adjustments; the policy subcommittee will review bullying, technology and notification language over the summer.
