Parents press Worcester schools to reconsider early-grade devices

Parents presented a 550-signature petition urging the district to reconsider individually assigned internet-connected devices in preschool through second grade, raising privacy, AI, hands-on learning, and opt-out concerns. The School Committee referred the petition and administration response to its teaching and learning committee for further review; members differ on screen use while defending classroom practices. A district audit found just under 65 minutes of instructional screen use per student daily, and policy or spending changes remain unresolved.