The Purpose
West Ada sees an opportunity to be more intentional about how devices are used in our classrooms and to reduce unnecessary screen time.
This is a commitment to continually evaluate how we can best teach and support students. As technology continues to evolve, we need to keep asking important questions: How does technology support learning? When should it be used? How often should it be used? And when is a screen-free approach better?
What’s Happened
Over the past six months, a guiding coalition of 19 district department leaders and more than 100 teachers has been examining West Ada’s one-to-one device model and how technology is used throughout the school day.
What’s Happening Now
As we begin the 2026–27 school year, West Ada is focusing on four key practices:
1. No device use during unstructured time.
For students in grades K–8, devices will not be used during recess, breaks, or lunch. Devices also should not be used in the classroom unless there is a defined learning task.
For students in grades 9–12, the cell phone policy adopted in 2024–25 remains in place: cell phones are not used during instructional time. In addition, student devices should only be used in the classroom when there is a defined learning task.
2. Screen-free targets set.
Beginning this fall, West Ada is establishing weekly screen-free instructional targets for elementary and middle school classrooms:
Grades K–5: 90% or more of instructional time will be screen-free.
Grades 6–8: 80% or more of instructional time will be screen-free.
Grades 9–12: No instructional screen-time target has been established at this time.
These are percentage-based weekly targets, not requirements for every individual lesson. Technology remains an important learning tool when it is used with purpose.
At the high school level, West Ada’s commitment to preparing students for college and career readiness includes developing strong digital literacy skills. For that reason, the district will continue gathering information and evaluating practices before establishing instructional screen-time targets for grades 9–12.
3. Devices earn their place in every lesson.
Teachers will continue to ask: “Could this be done better without a screen?” If the answer is yes, we will choose a screen-free approach that better serves the learning goal.
4. Collect real data on screen time.
West Ada is implementing Lightspeed Digital Insights to better understand how much time students spend on district devices and how those devices are being used. This data will help us move beyond assumptions and make informed decisions about technology and screen time.
Next Steps
This fall West Ada will:
Use Lightspeed Digital Insights data to better understand student device use and inform next steps.
Gather feedback from students, families, teachers, and other stakeholders.
Develop a recommendation on the district’s 1:1 student device model and further refine screen time guidelines by the end of the first semester.
The goal is not to eliminate technology from learning. It is to make sure every minute students spend on a device has a purpose—and that we choose the best tool for learning, whether it involves a screen or not.
To view Chief Academic Officer Rhonda McDonough's presentation on Intentional Device Use and Screentime from the August 10 Board Meeting, please skip jump to 29:45.
