Parent Group Pushing Madison Schools to Limit All Screens in Classrooms
Not just cell phones, which are already limited, but use of Chromebooks and other technology.
Mobile phone. (CC0).
When students return to Wisconsin schools over the next few weeks, their cell phone use will be limited.
Phones have been prohibited during class time since July 1. But some parents say the new law doesn’t go far enough — they would like to see all screen use limited in classrooms.
“Our concerns are more widely around technology use and a healthy balance,” said Jacqui Shore, a Madison mom, middle school librarian and co-founder of Parent Check on Tech.
The group was formed in May with about 30 parents. Today there are about 200 people involved.
They say the default for students should be pencil, paper and physical books, not Chromebooks and other technology.
Amy Martino, the group’s other co-founder, says they’re working on a petition for the Madison Metropolitan School District.
“We’re leaning toward advocating for delaying one-to-one Chromebooks until high school,” Martino said. “And we would like to see device-free classrooms until grade two. And then a Chromebook cart or computer lab for third through eighth grade.”
According to a report to the MMSD Board of Education in April by senior leaders in the district, there is a discrepancy between the recommended instructional usage of technology and the actual daily screen time logged by students.
For example, kindergarteners and first graders shouldn’t have any screen time. But they are getting 9 to 15 minutes per day. Middle school students should be limited to 40 minutes, yet they are on their screens for 2 hours per day. High school students should also be limited to 40 minutes, but are on screens for 90 minutes.
“Our goal is to ensure that technology is a high-impact, purposeful tool that truly enhances the educational experience for all learners, rather than allowing it to dominate or overshadow learning,” according to the April report.
Edell Fiedler, a spokesperson for MMSD told WPR this week that the district agrees students shouldn’t spend their entire school day in front of a screen, but eliminating computers and technology entirely isn’t the right answer.
“Technology is an important tool for learning and for preparing students for college and careers,” Fiedler said. “Our goal is to ensure that the technology available to students is used purposefully, effectively and responsibly. What matters is what students are doing, such as actively creating work, collaborating, or building presentations.”
The district will begin revising its technology plan this month. A draft of the revised plan is expected to be presented to the board in April 2027.
Shore says she doesn’t think removing screens will solve every problem, but rethinking how much money is being spent on technology and how much time students spend on it could help.
“Moving back to this analog default, I think it could improve the school climates in so many ways,” Shore said. “I just I hope it happens sooner than later.”
Parent Check on Tech mirrors what is happening nationwide, as caregivers grow more concerned about the use of screens given to their children in school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics defines screen time as any time spent interacting with digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions.
Research links increased screen time use by children to mental health issues, developmental delays, decreased attention spans and socialization challenges.
Schools Beyond Screens advocates for classroom technology that is student-centered rather than corporate-sponsored. School districts in Kohler, New Richmond and Sparta have Schools Beyond Screens chapters.
Parent group pushing Madison schools to limit all screens in classrooms was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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