Partnering on Balanced, Purposeful Use of Technology in Our Schools

Dear ISD Families and Caregivers,

As national coverage and conversations about educational technology and screen time in classrooms increase, some families have reached out with questions.

As research continues to show the negative impacts of excessive social media use among children, some are also applying those concerns to digital tools used in classrooms. While both involve technology, they serve different purposes. Social media is designed to maximize screen time through curated content that drives engagement, while instructional technology is standards-based and used to support learning through structured, time-bound assignments with clear beginnings and ends, and to monitor progress in alignment with teachers’ lesson plans. In Issaquah School District, teachers lead instruction and student engagement, not digital tools.

Our instructional model is grounded in strong teacher-student relationships, direct instruction, collaboration and engagement. Technology supports this work by helping teachers monitor progress in real time, adjust instruction and provide targeted support in one-to-one, small group or whole-class settings. This allows educators to respond earlier to student needs, rather than waiting for students to fall behind.

While concerns about screen time have centered on social media platforms, national advocacy groups are now focusing their attention on educational technology, resulting in increased litigation. Any platform used in our classrooms is an approved instructional tool. Only limited data is collected, and student data for educational purposes is authorized by the district. Our data sharing agreements do not allow student information to be shared for advertising or commercial purposes. While the claims in these lawsuits focus largely on student data privacy, some are supported by advocacy groups seeking to eliminate educational technology and screen time in schools. Our goal is to support our students to be future ready. The intentional and ethical use of technology will prepare our students for their success after graduating from high school.

As a general practice, the district does not comment on lawsuits involving third-party software unless the district is directly involved or district data is affected. Currently, none of those conditions apply and there is no impact to instruction or student services with any providers. The district follows all applicable federal and state student data privacy laws, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and our Responsible Use Guidelines (2022P).

Ongoing communication and partnership help build shared understanding of how technology supports student learning and provides opportunities to share feedback and concerns. We encourage families to connect directly with their child’s teacher or school leader to learn more before making broad decisions that limit access to instructional tools.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting student learning and well-being.

Sincerely,

 

Heather Tow-Yick
Superintendent