The Carroll ISD board of trustees unanimously approved updates to the 2026-27 Academic Planning Guide and Grading Guidelines, including a new educational technology policy that reduces screen time across all grade levels.
The changes, approved at the board’s Aug. 17 meeting, are part of the district’s Dragon’s Unplugged initiative to ensure teachers remain the primary source of education for a student.
The context
Screen time is “any period during which a student uses an individual electronic device for instructional purposes,” according to the district. This includes digital assignments, educational software and activities that require typing.
The approach
Prekindergarten students were previously allowed 0-10 minutes a day while kindergarten allowed 0-20. Both grade levels now allow no screen time per day.
First grade is allowed a max of 15 minutes of screen time, down from 20 the previous year.
Second through fourth grades are allowed a max of 20 minutes, down from 30. Fifth and sixth grades have been reduced from a max of 60 minutes to a max of 50 minutes.
Seventh though eighth grade classes have also been reduced from 60 to 50 minutes, although this depends upon the enrolled courses.
Ninth through 12th grade limits are per class rather than per day and allow 15 minutes max, although this also depends upon the courses as some require more technology. Previously these grades were listed as “course and course level dependent” without outlined maxes.
The new limits are some of the lowest of any district in the area, according to district data.
What parents should know
Parents have the option to opt their student out of screen time and screen time heavy courses. The board also discussed the option of adding some sort of marker next to technology-centered courses in the next school year to allow for more informed ideas of how much screen time a class will include.
Also of note
The district has decreased technology spending in its budget by 8% since 2025-26 and by 28% since 2024-25, according to Carroll ISD.
The guide also set new standards for the use of generative AI by faculty and students.
Faculty are allowed to use AI to support instructional planning and help with administrative tasks but the policy notes AI “may not replace professional judgment, teacher decision-making, or student learning,” according to the policy.
Grade 9-12 students are allowed to use generative AI “when specifically authorized by a teacher for designated assignments or activities.” AI use must be disclosed and cited according to district expectations and unauthorized use or use for assignments that measure knowledge and skill will be considered academic dishonesty.
Students in prekindergarten through eighth grade are not allowed to use generative AI.
What they’re saying
Board Vice President Andrew Yeager thanked Gina Peddy, executive director for curriculum & instruction for her department's work in reducing screen time.
“I’m very proud of your department, the staff, the team, and this board,” Yeager said. “I think it's exactly what our parents want and I’m very proud we are leading amongst many of these great ISDs.”
