Petition for Reasonable EdTech limits in Our Schools

Dear Superintendent Derk Garcia, 

We are writing to express our deepest concern regarding the overreliance of our public schools on screen-based learning.

Our children are already spending an enormous amount of time on screens outside of school, averaging nine hours per day for high school students, according to recent studies. Excessive screen time has been associated with many serious issues, including anxiety and depression, executive function disorders, eye disorders, sleep loss, neck pain, and screen addiction.

It is for these reasons that we applauded Roseville City School District’s current policy on personal devices. However, it's time to acknowledge that school-issued devices present urgent problems of their own.

Internet access on classroom devices can fragment students' attention, making it difficult for them to think deeply and stay on task. Indeed, numerous studies have shown better comprehension and retention when students learn on paper vs screens. Classroom devices also create new behavioral challenges for teachers, requiring them to police online activity instead of teaching.

EdTech apps pose privacy risks through their collection of student data. And by gamifying the learning experience, they can undermine children's ability to focus on work that doesn't trigger short-term rewards, thereby diminishing the capacity for deep thinking.

Additionally, computer-based homework can be a gateway to unsanctioned online activity, placing an undue burden on parents to monitor their children's online activity at home.

We are proposing the following steps Roseville City School Districct can take now to begin addressing these concerns.

1. Establish a Technology Advisory Committee
Establish a collaborative technology advisory committee with parent & teacher representatives to evaluate both existing and prospective EdTech products, determining whether their educational value outweighs potential harms. This committee must rely on independent research regarding each product's efficacy, rather than studies provided by the companies themselves.

2. Reduce 1:1 Device Programs
Eliminate 1:1 device programs for elementary schools, and limit use in middle & high schools to times when screens provide a unique educational benefit. Devices can be distributed on carts or in a tech lab where educationally relevant rather than permanently assigned to students.

3. Limit Number of EdTech Products
Utilize research-backed models, like EverySchool's EdTech Triangle,  to be deliberate about EdTech products approved for the classroom.

4. Monitor and Limit Screen Time
Monitor the amount of time students spend on screens during the school day, and establish specific limits. Schools must also adhere to manufacturer guidelines for the safe use of digital devices, including all ergonomic and eye protection measures.

5. Allow Teacher and School Opt-Outs
Allow individual teachers & schools to opt out of district mandates (or "guidelines") for the use of specific EdTech products such as I-Ready, provided their students meet reasonable benchmarks for academic progress.

6. Student Opt-Out Options
Allow students to opt out of computer-based activities if requested by a parent and/or medical or mental health professional, with alternative learning methods provided.

Next Steps
Our goal is to work collaboratively with Roseville City School District to ensure our children receive the highest quality education while protecting their health and development. 

On behalf of our children, we respectfully request that you take this issue seriously and work with our community to implement these evidence-based improvements.

Sincerely, 
The undersigned