LAUSD Implements Screen-Free Policy for Early-Grade Students

Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will begin the new school year without personal digital devices in early education, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade. The Board of Education adopted the policy in June, eliminating routine device use for these grades and limiting access to YouTube, social media and streaming platforms unless a teacher grants approval. Exceptions apply for state-mandated assessments, the LAUSD Virtual Academy and students with IEPs or 504 Plans. Families may still request take-home devices, but they are no longer issued automatically.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, LAUSD distributed devices to every student for remote learning. After schools reopened, officials observed extensive device use among preschoolers, prompting a recalibration of the technology policy. A parent coalition, Schools Beyond Screens, formed in 2025 and advocated for reduced screen exposure, influencing the board’s resolution in April that led to the June vote.

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• Nick Melvoin – Board member, policy sponsor.

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• Andrés Chait – Superintendent, responsible for implementation.

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• Rocío Rivas – Board vice president, voiced concerns about monitoring burdens.

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• Mireya Garcia – Parent, highlighted limited home computer access.

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• June – Board unanimously adopts the screen-time policy (Board President Scott Schmerelson recused).

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• July 21 (scheduled) – Superintendent Chait to address implementation at a news conference.

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• Early August – Schools reopen; policy begins governing device use for the specified grades.

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• The district estimates up to $4 million in one-time funds for carts to store laptops in elementary classrooms.

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• An additional $1 million annually is projected for software that tracks screen time and blocks prohibited content.

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• First-grade students will have no device access during the school day; second-grade students may use devices for up to 20 minutes per day.

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District officials said the policy encourages homework focused on reading, writing, problem-solving and hands-on activities. Training sessions for principals and administrators have begun, with resources slated for rollout before the first week of classes. Superintendent Chait, speaking at the July 21 news conference, called the rollout “methodical and transparent,” noting that not all changes will be visible immediately.

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Rocío Rivas questioned equity, asking, “If a kid hasn’t learned how to even use a computer or type, how are they going to…not be disadvantaged against kids that have computers?”

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• “My hope and expectation is that most families will see a dramatic reduction in screen time during the school day, but also in the evenings, as mandated by school,” — Nick Melvoin

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• “We had not recalibrated or reset our relationship with technology post-COVID,” — Nick Melvoin

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• “Schools may end up focusing on counting minutes, documenting usage, auditing classrooms instead of evaluating learning outcomes,” — Rocío Rivas

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The board will review the screen-time rules at least annually during a public meeting, and an ad-hoc committee will advise on the district’s use of artificial intelligence. Ongoing training and resource distribution aim to support teachers as the policy is refined throughout the school year.

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