Fairfax School Board Bans Devices For Pre-K, Kindergarten Students

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools will stop providing laptops and tablets to prekindergarten and kindergarten students under a motion unanimously approved by the Fairfax County School Board early Friday morning.

The prohibition will take effect during the 2026-27 school year, with exceptions for students who need devices for an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, translation or multilingual education support.

The board amended the original motion to specify that the prohibition will remain in effect while the Educational Technology Review Committee develops recommendations for Superintendent Michelle Reid and pending any subsequent board action, including the adoption of a formal policy. The amendment passed unanimously, as did the amended motion.

The vote was part of a package of seven technology-related motions considered during the board’s Thursday night meeting. All seven ultimately passed, addressing classroom device storage, generative artificial intelligence, internet filtering, personal electronics and possible device opt-outs.

Board Moves From Principles To Policy

The actions came three weeks after the board unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that education should remain a human-centered endeavor and technology should support — rather than replace — teachers.

That resolution established guiding principles but did not change classroom practices. At the time, several board members and parents urged FCPS to move faster on concrete limits involving screens, artificial intelligence and student devices.

Hunter Mill District representative Melanie Meren introduced Thursday’s motion prohibiting FCPS-issued devices for the division’s youngest students. Meren said laptops and tablets had not originally been part of FCPS’ technology plans for prekindergarten and kindergarten.

Also See ...

• Fairfax Parents Press School Board For Faster Limits On Classroom Technology
• Fairfax School Board Orders Review Of Device Opt-Outs, Tech Limits And AI Literacy
• Mother Shares Son's Experience Facing Anti-Black Bias With FCPS Leaders

“The division has never planned to use devices for the youngest students,” Meren said.

Mount Vernon District representative Mateo Dunne, who seconded the motion, said young children need opportunities to develop fine motor, language and social skills without relying on screens.

The board added the amendment after some members questioned whether approving the prohibition would preempt the recently established Educational Technology Review Committee.

Braddock District representative Tom Dannan, who proposed the amendment, said it would acknowledge the committee’s continuing work while allowing the immediate restriction to take effect.

“This prohibition shall remain in effect pending the Educational Technology Review Committee’s recommendation to the superintendent and any resulting board action, including the adoption of policy,” the amendment says.

Reid told the board that the committee’s input could improve implementation of any technology changes affecting classrooms across the division. She also cautioned that reducing device use could require additional instructional resources and support for educators.

Storage Plan, AI Limits And Firewall Pilot Approved

The board also approved a motion directing Reid to provide a plan by Nov. 12 for storing FCPS-issued laptops and tablets when students are not using them for instruction. The plan must include a proposed timeline for divisionwide implementation and preserve access for students who need devices for accommodations, translation or multilingual support.

Meren characterized the measure as an information-gathering motion intended to establish consistent practices rather than impose a specific storage system.

Superintendent Reid said the current one-to-one device program covers grades one through 12. Developing a storage plan could require FCPS to consider differences among schools, available classroom space and whether new carts or other equipment would have to be purchased.

A separate motion concerning generative AI was substantially amended before passage. The original proposal would have prohibited all students from using FCPS-provided generative AI tools until the board adopted a formal policy.

As amended, the measure prohibits elementary students from using generative AI tools and restricts their use by secondary students unless a principal, the superintendent or a designee provides written authorization for a specialized project or specific purpose. The amendment also moved the deadline for an FCPS inventory of generative AI tools from Nov. 12 to Jan. 14, 2027. The amendments and final motion passed.

Other approved measures direct FCPS to:

• Develop a pilot program using a tiered, approved-sites-only firewall on FCPS devices at two elementary, two middle and two high schools. The plan is due Dec. 10, with implementation targeted for the third quarter of the 2026-27 school year. Results are due to the board by June 10, 2027.
• Report by Dec. 10 on the feasibility of allowing students with documented medical or developmental needs to opt out of using FCPS-issued laptops and tablets.
• Amend student device regulations to prohibit personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches and smartphones during the instructional day, requiring students to use FCPS devices for school-related digital activities. Exceptions would remain available through IEPs, Section 504 plans or for specialized courses requiring unavailable technology.
• Have the Educational Technology Review Committee prioritize studying network-level filters that would block direct YouTube access for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade on FCPS networks or devices. Teachers could still embed instructional YouTube content in approved educational platforms, presentations or learning-management systems. That motion passed unanimously.