Petition text

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Title: Hands-on learning first in [District name] elementary schools

To: The [District name] School Board and Superintendent [name]

We are parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members in [District name]. We support our teachers, and we believe children learn best through books, paper, hands-on work, and time with a caring teacher.

Since the pandemic, screens have become a common way many subjects are taught, in some classrooms starting in kindergarten. We believe technology should be taught as a subject, and used when it clearly improves learning, rather than being the main way children learn to read, write, and do math.

Other Oregon districts are already acting. Medford is reducing devices in kindergarten through second grade. Lake Oswego is keeping elementary devices at school. Bend-La Pine's board passed a resolution calling for grade-level standards for technology use.

We ask the [District name] School Board to:

• Report average daily screen time by grade in grades K-5, and publish a list of the apps and tools on student devices.

• Make books, paper, and handwriting the default for core subjects in grades K-5.

• Limit individual devices in kindergarten through second grade to assessments and accommodations.

• Keep elementary devices at school, and use shared carts or labs instead of one device per student.

• Form a technology advisory group that includes parents, teachers, and independent experts.

Any change must fully protect assistive technology, AAC devices, and accommodations under IEPs and 504 plans.

[Signature fields: name, city or neighborhood, school connection (parent, teacher, student, community member), optional comment]