Wake schools: Parents must choose 'all or none' on tech for students
The Wake County Board of Education on Tuesday approved an "all or none" technology policy that will force parents to decide whether to allow their children to have access to technology in the classroom.
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The board approved the measure at its Tuesday night meeting, saying it will begin in 2015-16.
Every student in the district will have a signed form on file regarding technology use and access. Parents will be required to select whether or not their child or children can participate in instruction involving any form of computer technology, including desktops, laptops, tablets or cellphones. It also includes Internet access.
"This is an 'all or none' policy," Marlo Gaddis, the system's senior director of instructional technology and library media services, said in a statement. “It is important for parents to know that they must sign the form indicating whether or not they give permission for technology access, knowing that to deny it could present some challenges in the future as students prepare for the use of technology in college and careers.”
The system says teachers will make accommodations, where possible, for students who are not allowed to use technology and digital resources. Certain tech-focused classes, such as Computer Assisted Design, Gaming Design and Computer Science, will not be available to those who opt out.
In a release announcing the policy, the school system said that "digital literacy in general would be limited" for those who opt out.
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