On June 23rd, 2026, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Members unanimously approved a policy that will significantly limit student access to technology and screen time in schools.
At Innovate, we appreciate the district’s efforts to promote healthy technology use and reduce unnecessary screen exposure for students, however, we have concerns that aspects of the policy may unintentionally limit access to high-quality educational digital tools that support student learning, literacy development, accessibility, and family engagement. We are also concerned about how quickly the proposal moved forward without providing enough opportunity for a diverse base of families to provide input.
Students need access to digital tools that support learning and engagement. Digital resources can strengthen reading instruction, research skills, communication, and college and career preparation when used effectively. At the same time, many families do not have the resources to purchase the devices, internet access, or digital learning tools needed for success outside of school. Restricting access to digital tools at school means that many students from low-income communities will not be able to access the digital tools that are readily available to their more affluent peers. Multilingual learners and students with disabilities also rely on appropriate digital tools to support their learning.
Education policies must consider all students and place equity at the center of development and implementation so that our systems don’t inadvertently widen opportunity gaps.
Innovate parent leaders are advocating to reduce digital equity gaps and ensure that the use of technology is an important resource available to all students at school to advance literacy, learning, and college-readiness.
Although the “Using Technology with Intention: Establishing Guidelines for Student Screen” resolution was already passed, we urge the District to include an addendum that ensures the implementation of the policy reflects the diverse needs of LAUSD students and families while preserving access to high-quality educational resources including quality digital tools.
We also ask district leaders to work with community based partners and families to hold listening sessions with a diverse base of families in order to ensure a district-wide screen time policy is equitable and fully considers the needs of all families and students in LAUSD.
Innovate Public Schools joined Alliance for a Better Community, Families In Schools, GPSN, Special Needs Network, and other community partners in signing onto a letter urging LAUSD to ensure the screen time police protects access to high-quality digital resources and includes meaningful family engagement.
Are you interested in taking action for students? You can help make a difference by improving schools for all students! Contact us to meet with our team and get involved.