Challenges of Reducing Screen Time in LA Schools

Armaghan Khan, a teacher in Los Angeles, faces a new challenge this year. The Los Angeles Unified School District is limiting screen time for students. This affects many teachers in the nation’s second-largest school district.

“This is going to be a big impact for me,” says Khan. He has spent his career in the district and notes that about 75% of his work involved screens. As a science teacher, he has relied on technology. Students at Johnnie L. Cochran Middle School use laptops for experiments, like a car crash simulator to study Newtonian forces. Khan explains, “My hands are kind of tied in terms of just what I can offer.” The school has a lab space but lacks a lab budget.

Many districts are adopting similar limits this year, but the rapid rollout in Los Angeles is unique. A resolution was passed this spring. From this week, 1st graders and younger will have no screen time. In November, the rest of the elementary classes will face limits. Middle and high school students will follow later in the year.

This marks a change for LAUSD, which was once a leader in classroom technology integration. Khan was surprised by the policy and the lack of guidance. “I don’t feel like I’m being set up for success,” he admits.

A Rapid Rollout

Pia Sadaqatmal, the district’s new chief academic officer, oversees the new rules. She acknowledges its imperfections. “There is no perfect solution on how to roll out to a school district the size of ours,” she states. Sadaqatmal advises teachers to view this as a transition year, not expecting immediate changes.

She adds, “We have one of the first school districts in the nation to adopt a policy at this scale. We know that we are going to be learning along the way at each phase.” Students will have software on devices to track screen time. The software collects data without shutting the device off once limits are reached. The district aims to analyze the data at year-end to improve rules.

Some tools, like virtual textbooks, are exempt. However, teachers still navigate the rest.

Filling the Gaps

Kirti Baranwal, a teacher librarian at William Jefferson Clinton Middle School, has been with the district for 28 years. She says, “I have more questions than I do sort of immediate concerns around it.” Baranwal supports screen time limits.

Last year, the district banned cell phones, a standard in many states. Baranwal taught a lesson on screen addiction, asking students to report their screen time. Many reported 8 to 10 hours daily, despite the ban. “And I was like, when are you sleeping?” she exclaims.

Research indicates children without sports or arts resources often turn to screens outside of school. Baranwal and Khan agree turning off screens leaves gaps. Baranwal asks, “What is it that we want kids doing?”

With the school year just starting, the district works to address these questions.