House education vice-chair says parents, teachers, school leaders must address AI
It's July 6. An update on school screen time concerns...Williamsburg reviews how the legislature changed local prerogatives...and hotel bookings continue upward trend
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It’s not on the agenda, but Tuesday’s school board retreat is the day the Williamsburg-James City County school superintendent promised to review the use of technology and artificial intelligence in local schools.
Superintendent Daniel Keever made the comment after the school board voted down the purchase of an artificial intelligence program to practice English writing during a May school board meeting.
Several board members expressed concern about excessive screentime, and 120 parents have signed an online petition asking the school board to rethink technology use, especially among younger children.
“Parents are correct in raising the alarm and talking to legislators and local leaders about what they’re seeing,” we were told by Del Shelly A. Simonds, D-70th district.
Simonds is the vice chair of the House Education committee and Chair of the K-12 subcommittee.
The delegate said the technology issue is on her committee’s radar, but said parents, teaches and school administrators were better able to respond to issues that arise.
“The problem with technology is it moves so fast” Simonds said. “When things are moving at this pace, the legislature can’t predict the future.”
Simonds said drops in statewide reading test scores suggest too much screen time may be a problem.
She noted Virginia Beach schools have opted not to provide screen time for students in kindergarten and first grade, “let’s see what happens.”
The board retreat is open to the public and begins at 8:30 Tuesday morning, July 7 in the first floor hub at James Blair Middle School.
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