Good morning, California.
As California families gear up for the new school year, some of the biggest changes won’t be happening in the classroom, but on students’ screens. TODAY Californian Southern California reporter Paris Barraza takes a deep dive into a growing debate playing out across the state: Are schools relying too heavily on technology, and what happens when districts try to scale it back?
Beginning this month, Los Angeles Unified, the nation’s second-largest school district, is rolling out new limits on student screen time, restricting YouTube access, reducing device use for younger children and encouraging more paper, pencils and hands-on learning. Supporters say the changes will improve focus, learning and mental health. Critics argue the rules oversimplify a more complex issue and could limit valuable educational tools…