Fort Bend ISD is in the early stages of adjusting the amount and purpose of technology use in school.
In a nutshell
At an Oct. 26 meeting, Chief Academic Officer Matt Warford presented an overview of how technology is used in classrooms and discussed ways staff can improve its usage and limit non-instructional use.
Students can often use technology for non-instructional purposes, which include watching unrelated videos and playing games instead of doing work, Warford said. However, technology can also have benefits for students using learning programs, conducting research, applying for colleges or programs and communicating with teachers.
To find the balance, staff will use this year to review guidelines and refine practices, Warford said. Potential options include engaging stakeholders, creating a task force and training teachers on technology use.
The details
During the 2026-27 school year, district staff will focus on establishing new technology expectations through:
Reviewing guidelines and expectations to ensure people know when to use technology
Refining practices and strengthening implementation while reducing passive or non-instructional use
Researching surrounding districts
Developing short- and long-term plans
Communicating progress and next steps to families
In the coming months, the district will also roll out a parent portal that shows parents the top content visited on their children’s devices and allows parents to report restricted use to the district, Warford said.
What they’re saying
To oppose technology use, Fort Bend ISD families created a chapter of Schools Beyond Screens, a national organization pushing against heavy technology use in schools. Grace Chen, a Fort Bend ISD resident, said technology prevents students from putting as much effort into learning.
“If you and I had done most of our school work and studying on a laptop with distractions, temptations and AI just one click away, would we still have reached our potential and ended up where we are now, or would we have stunted our developing brains by taking the easy way out?” Chen asked the board members.
Board President Kristin Tassin said the district should spend money to improve the system if needed.
“If we have to spend more money to get more books, then we have to spend more money to get books,” Tassin said. “If [students] come to us and ask for a book, then we need to make sure they have a book.”
Board member Angie Hanan also suggested looking at the connection between academic subjects in which students excel and the amount of time spent learning through hands-on approaches.
Looking ahead
District staff will continue the planning process for the rest of the school year and will provide updates throughout the year.
