Are school-issued Chromebooks helping students learn?
Student voices
"It's too tempting not to use AI if it's right there."
"Everyone knows how to bypass GoGuardian."
"It's distracting when other kids are going online or playing games in class and I'm still doing work."
Teacher voices
Elementary school
"What was wrong with computer labs? Why can't we go back to that?"
"Why do elementary students need access to the internet?"
Middle school
"It's really hard for students to stay focused when they each have a laptop on their desk."
"The kids don't interact as much when they have the choice to use their devices."
Parent voices
- Concern over students' reduced focus, patience, and willingness to work through difficult material.
- School devices provide access to YouTube even when families restrict them at home.
- Google Search's AI Mode is enabled on all student devices, TK–8, rated "Unacceptable Risk" by Common Sense Media.
- Families want transparency about student-data protection, opt-out information, student performance, and spending.
Teacher's comments
A SMFCSD middle school teacher
School board meeting public comments
About these clips: each video is one speaker's public comment, trimmed from the district's board meeting recording. Comments are capped at a few minutes, so every clip is short.