Image Credit: Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By Paula Gomes] –
School districts across the state are limiting laptop use as a new state law takes effect this school year.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation limiting the use of digital devices for public school students in grades K-5 in favor of prioritizing in-person, teacher-led instruction, and the use of non-electronic instruction materials.
HB2393/SB2310, sponsored by Representative Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) and Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), allows for some access in specific situations including targeted instructional support for intervention or remediation, accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, administration of a state universal screener or other assessments required by law, or instruction that is remote or homebound or a hybrid learning day.
As the law provides districts with flexibility in deciding how these policies will work for their students, how the law is followed will vary across the state.
Hamilton County Schools adopted a policy for K-5 students that does not assign individual devices, such as Chromebooks, to elementary students, while prohibiting at-home device-based assignments for second graders and limiting similar assignments for third through fifth grade students.
Bradley County Schools took a different approach, implementing a 70/30 instructional model where the goal of teaching without devices is 70 percent to 30 percent intentional use of technology in order to meet state standards and prepare students for state testing.
Even before the law was passed, some districts had already implemented changes.
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System had reduced the use of technology in its elementary classrooms significantly by the spring of 2025, making the shift to more hands-on traditional methods of instruction.
Over the summer, the Knox County Board of Education discussed creating a committee to look at best practices for screen time for students within the district.
Kingsport City Schools and Bristol, Tennessee City Schools created policies regarding electronic devices as soon as the legislation took effect July 1st.
The technology revisions have been generally supported by parents, educators, and lawmakers alike who believe that limited use of devices helps students stay focused, puts technology in its rightful place, and encourages traditional teaching in younger grades, something that research backs up.
Sources:
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
