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Board directs superintendent to prohibit FCPS devices for pre‑K and kindergarten; amendment ties ban to ETRC review
Summary
After extended debate, the Fairfax County School Board directed the superintendent to prohibit FCPS‑issued laptops and tablets for pre‑K and kindergarten in 2026–27 with exceptions for IEP/504, translation and multilingual supports; the prohibition was amended to remain in effect pending Educational Technology Review Committee recommendations.
The Fairfax County School Board voted on July 16 to direct the superintendent to prohibit district‑issued laptops and tablets for students in pre‑kindergarten and kindergarten beginning in the 2026–27 school year, with explicit exceptions for students who need devices for individualized education plans (IEP), Section 504 accommodations, translation services or multilingual supports.
Ms. Mirren moved the main motion and argued the board must lead on an issue she called a "clear and present harm" from excessive and inconsistent technology use in very young children. Mr. Dunn seconded and described the motion as a "great starting point" to begin weaning the youngest students from devices while preserving accommodations.
Board discussion focused heavily on implementation and change management. Several members emphasized the need for an opt‑out or accommodation pathway and asked for clarity on how the Educational Technology Review Committee (ETRC) would be involved. One amendment — offered to insert language that the prohibition remain in effect pending the ETRC's recommendation to the superintendent and any resulting board action — was adopted unanimously before the main vote.
Staff told the board that current usage of personalized learning programs at pre‑K and kindergarten is limited (roughly an hour a week for Lexia and 45 minutes for ST Math for some students) but that device use can creep into other parts of the day. The board debated the fiscal and operational implications of storage solutions and asked the superintendent to deliver a plan by Nov. 12, 2026 outlining how FCPS would store laptops and tablets when not in use, including a proposed timeline for division‑wide implementation.
The amended motion passed on a recorded voice vote; board members said the change gives the ETRC the chance to refine a division‑wide implementation and to inform future policy.
