A file photo of the Seattle Public Schools district office building. (KOMO)
SEATTLE —Seattle families are urging the state’s largest school district to pause the use of generative AI and address concerns about student-facing technology.
Some Seattle Public Schools (SPS) parents claim they they worry the use of this tech in school could be more harmful than helpful when it comes to student learning, and they want the option for their kids to have a paper alternative to using an iPad or a tablet.
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Families plan to rally outside district headquarters on Wednesday, urging SPS to form a committee to disclose ed tech products and student data collection to caregivers; get caregiver consent to use these products; allow paper-based alternatives and device opt-outs; and set grade-level screen-time limits.
SPS does have time limits for student use of this technology and it blocks certain web content like YouTube, Minecraft and Gemini, according to a district presentation.
The district describes generative AI as “deep learning models that can create complex original content like long-form text, high-quality images, realistic video or audio” in response to the user’s prompt or request.
Some examples used in classrooms include Magic School, Amplify Science, Emerge, SuccessMaker Math, Lexia, enVision Mathematics, Lexia Core5, Sora, Schoology, Canva, and Book Creator.
Parents say they are frustrated with what they’re calling too much screen time replacing hands-on learning, lack of a districtwide cell phone policy, no clear governance over how AI is being used, and over-purchasing of digital programs.
The rally comes right before the school board’s informational study session about educational technology at 4:30 p.m.
Directors are reviewing “guidance for developmentally appropriate, safe and purposeful technology and AI use” to support student learning. The presentation describes specific tools to help students expand reading comprehension, understand complex ideas, among other learning goals.
KOMO News asked the district about parents’ concerns. The school board presentation notes SPS is changing how it makes software decisions. It aims to have fewer overlapping applications and better support tools with help from an advisory committee.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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