Teachers union pushes for screen limits in NY classrooms
Teachers union pushes for screen limits in NY classrooms
Publish Date: 2026-06-02 17:45:00
Source Domain: spectrumlocalnews.com
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — New York state’s largest teachers union is calling for limits on screen time and AI use for students in the classroom. The New York State United Teachers resolution comes as schools in the state are wrapping up their first year with a bell-to-bell ban on cellphone use.
The goal of the NYSUT resolution is to promote more hands-on learning at a time when screen technology is literally everywhere.
In the West Irondequoit schools, social time is now for talking.
“We’ve been able to interact more and have more meaningful conversations with the people around us,” said senior Anne Tan.
That’s because there’s no cellphone use during school hours.
“I’ve been reading a lot more because I’ve not been on my phone,” said Mason Muscate, also a senior. “And I think it’s been helpful.”
The state law barring bell-to-bell cellphone use took effect in September.
“One of my favorite quotes from an administrator was, ‘We have our kids back,’” said Casey Wagner, the district’s director of technology.
All of West Irondequoit’s 3,800 students use laptops to help them learn. Administrators say technology is no replacement for scientific, research-based instruction.
“There’s a difference between screen time at home, or recreational, versus educational or instructional purposes,” said Wagner. “So, when we think about instructional technology, it’s not replacing the teacher.”
The board of New York State United Teachers recently passed a resolution calling for stricter limits on technology in classrooms, especially for younger students. NYSUT wants no one-to-one screen time or student-facing AI for kids in grades pre-K through 2. The union says AI use for students of any age must be supervised.
“The idea is that we are already starting that process, especially looking at our k-3s,” said Wagner, who adds the district has a tech advisory committee that helps set age-appropriate standards for students using technology. The…
