Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Kingston Schools

A campaign from Schools Beyond Screens - Schools Beyond Screens Kingston

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169
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169 of 500 signatures
34% to goal
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Recent supporters:
Parent signed 9 minutes ago
Community Member signed 32 minutes ago
Parent signed about 1 hour ago

Why This Matters

The largest school districts in the country, led by the recent resolution passed by LA Unified School District, are starting to move on classroom screen time -- setting hard grade-level limits, blocking YouTube and gaming platforms on school devices, eliminating devices for the youngest students, and requiring weekly screen reports to parents.

This isn't happening because administrators woke up and decided to act. It's happening because parents organized, showed up, and made it impossible to ignore.

Your school board has the same authority right now. They do not need to wait for state guidance or federal standards. Dozens of districts have already acted. What they need to hear is that their own community is paying attention and expects them to lead.

 

Petition for Thoughtful and Transparent Educational Technology Use in KCSD


Technology has become a significant part of the school day for students across the Kingston City School District. From the earliest grades, students use digital programs and platforms, and by middle school, families are asked to sign agreements for individually assigned Chromebooks.
Yet many KCSD families do not have a clear picture of how much technology students are using during the school day, how it is being used, what policies guide its use, what the district is spending on EdTech, or what independent evidence supports that investment.
At a time when KCSD is making difficult budget decisions in response to declining enrollment, we believe these are important questions to ask. Technology can be a valuable educational tool, but its use—and the public investment behind it—should be transparent, intentional, and supported by evidence.

Our Requests
1. Conduct a public audit of EdTech spending and effectiveness. Conduct and publish a comprehensive review of the educational technology currently in use across KCSD, including programs and platforms, costs, vendor contracts, educational purpose, student data practices, and evidence of effectiveness. For technology students are required to use, provide families with independent evidence that it improves student learning or meaningfully supports instruction—not solely research funded, conducted, or provided by the companies that develop and sell these products. Make the findings, costs, contracts, and supporting evidence publicly available and easy for families to access.

2. Provide greater transparency and meaningful choices for families. Clearly communicate which digital programs and platforms students use, how technology is being used during the school day, and what district policies guide screen and device use at each grade level. Give families meaningful choices when technology extends beyond the classroom, including the ability to opt out of routine at-home use of district-issued devices and, where possible, specific EdTech programs, with reasonable alternatives available. Families should also receive clear information about what student data is collected, how it is used, and how it is protected.

3. Reduce 1:1 device use, particularly in elementary school. Move away from routine 1:1 device use in elementary grades and toward shared devices that are available when technology serves a specific instructional purpose. A device should not become the default tool for learning simply because every student has access to one. Technology should be used intentionally and when it provides a meaningful educational benefit, with less reliance on individual devices for younger students.

4. Make paper, books, handwriting, and off-screen learning a district-wide priority. Establish a district-wide commitment to physical books, paper, handwriting, teacher-led instruction, discussion, hands-on work, creativity, movement, and face-to-face collaboration. These are essential parts of education, not simply alternatives to digital learning. When technology does not offer a clear educational advantage, prioritize the off-screen option, including for homework whenever practical.

This is not a call to eliminate technology from our schools. It is a request for a more intentional and accountable approach to how it is chosen and used.

We are asking for public accountability, independent evidence, transparency, meaningful parent choice, reduced reliance on 1:1 devices, and a renewed commitment to off-screen learning.

We, the undersigned, ask Kingston City School District and the Board of Education to work with parents and educators to put these priorities into practice across the district.

Recent Supporters

  • Parent

    Signed in Kingston, NY

    9 minutes ago

  • Community Member

    Signed in Kingston, NY

    32 minutes ago

  • Parent

    Signed in Kingston, NY

    about 1 hour ago
169 supporters have signed this campaign

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