Screen Time

Our digital ecosystem is built on the belief that technology should actively elevate student success. We are committed to intentional, thinking-first screen time, comprehensive digital and AI literacy, and the use of tools that extend student cognition and support rigorous instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to opt my student out of screen use while at school?
- Other than a specific accommodation required by an IEP or 504 plan, parents may not opt their children out of devices used in the delivery of District curriculum, learning experiences, or assessments.
What steps do I take if I am concerned about my child's use of screen time?
- Step 1: Contact the teacher to learn more about what your child is doing using the digital resources.
- Step 2: If the concern remains, contact the principal.
- Step 3: If still unresolved, contact the Central Office by emailing learningtech@pps.net.

Screentime Guidance for Adopted Curricula

Grades K-5

Grade-Band	Content Area	Digital Tool	Expected Usage (min/week students on screens w/this tool)
Tier 1 Universal Tools (used by all students)
K-5	Math & Reading Assessment	i-Ready	State interim assessments in math and reading run 3 times/year (max 60 mins/session).
K-5	Math	i-Ready	MyPath individualized math practice: used to supplement core instruction, no more than 45 minutes per week (2 lessons per week).
2-5	Math	i-Ready Fluency Flight	MyPath Adaptive math tool designed to build mathematical fluency. Should not supplant MyPath and should be more than 15 minutes/day.
K-3	ELA	Fundations FUN HUB	Fundations offers digital skills practice capped at 10 mins/lesson (up to 40 mins/week).
3-5	ELA	Google Docs	Word processing: may be used to draft and collaborate on essays, text responses, presentations, etc.
K-5	Science	Amplify	Students may complete scientific simulations 2-3 times per unit, 3 times per year.
Scaffolds, Accommodations, Interventions (used by some students, as needed)
1-5	ELD	VHL: Get Ready Sail/Soar	Can be used during WIN to supplement ELD instruction/support. No more than 60 min/week.
K-5	ELA (Tier 2-3)	Learning Ally	Read-aloud tools scaffold grade-level text during WIN Block (10–15 mins/day as needed).
1-2 SDLI	Spanish Language Arts	Imagine Español	Used for supplemental practice in Spanish DLI classrooms, up to 15 min/3 x week during WIN
1-5 CDLI	Chinese Language Arts	Leveled Learning	Used for supplemental practice in Chinese DLI classrooms, up to 15 min/3 x week during WIN
K12	Special Education, all content areas	TeachTown EnCORE	Used in some special education focus classrooms as a modified curriculum to supplement teacher-led instruction.
K12	Special Education, all content areas	Teach Town. Basics	TeachTown Basics uses short computer lessons balanced with hands-on, teacher-led instruction.

PPS Digital Ecosystem

Grades 6-8

Grade-Band	Content Area	Digital Tool	Expected Usage (min/week students on screens w/this tool)
Tier 1 Universal Tools (used by all students)
6-8	Math	MidSchoolMath	MidSchoolMath does not mandate or require a specific minimum number of hours of screen time.
6-8	ELA	ED App	HMH Ed provides digital ELA curriculum access with no required minimum screen time.
6-8	Science	Lab-Aids (SEPUP)	Lab-Aids and SEPUP do not specify a fixed, hard numeric screen time limit.
6-12	Social Studies	DBQ	DBQ Project does not mandate or require a minimum number of student screen-time hours.
6-12	Social Studies	TCi	TCI (Teachers' Curriculum Institute) Social Studies does not require or mandate a minimum amount of student screen time.
Scaffolds, Accommodations, Interventions (used by some students, as needed)
6-8	Math (Tier 3)	i-Ready	Math Interventionists are expected to use i-Ready no more than 1-2 times per week (15-45 minutes).
6-8	ELA (Tier 3)	Lexia Power Up	Reading Interventionists are expected to use Lexia no more than 1-2 times per week (no more than 60 minutes total).
K12	SPED - All content areas	TeachTown EnCORE	Used in some special education focus classrooms as a modified curriculum to supplement teacher-led instruction.
K12	TeachTown Basics includes instruction in communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, math, reading, language, and transition/daily living skills.	Teach Town. Basics	TeachTown Basics uses short computer lessons balanced with hands-on, teacher-led instruction.

Grades 9-12

Grade-Band	Content Area	Digital Tool	Expected Usage (min/week students on screens w/this tool)
Tier 1 Universal Tools (used by all students)
9-12	Math	McGraw-Hill’s Illustrative Mathematics	Digital text access is optional alongside paper materials, with no minimum or maximum required screen time.
9-12	Science	HMH Science Dimensions	Digital text access is optional alongside class print sets, with no required minimum or maximum screen time.
6-12	Social Studies	DBQ	DBQ Project does not mandate or require a minimum number of student screen-time hours.
6-12	Social Studies	TCi	TCI (Teachers' Curriculum Institute) Social Studies does not require or mandate a minimum amount of student screen time.
6-12	ELA	ED App	HMH Ed provides digital ELA curriculum access with no required minimum screen time.
Scaffolds, Accommodations, Interventions (used by some students, as needed)
9-12	Math (Tier 3)	iXL	No official district requirement, but IXL recommends 15–20 mins/day for practice and 10–15 mins/week for assessments.
K12	SPED - All content areas	TeachTown EnCORE	Used in some special education focus classrooms as a modified curriculum to supplement teacher-led instruction.
K12	TeachTown Basics includes instruction in communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, math, reading, language, and transition/daily living skills.	Teach Town. Basics	TeachTown Basics uses short computer lessons balanced with hands-on, teacher-led instruction.