Summary of SF 237 (renumbered SF 516)
Overview
- Purpose: Direct the Department of Education (with the Department of Health and Human Services) to convene a working group to study the impact of school-provided technology on students’ cognitive function and academic performance.
- Status: Committee report approving the bill; renumbered as SF 516.
- Introduced: February 10, 2025.
- Primary sponsor: Taylor.
Purpose and Scope
- The bill aims to assess research related to how technology provided by schools affects students’ cognitive abilities and learning outcomes.
- “School-provided technology” is defined to include laptop computers, online learning management systems (LMS), and classroom slide show presentations.
- Emphasizes identifying best practices to mitigate potential negative effects on social and behavioral development, attention span, mental concentration, and learning ability.
Key Provisions
1) Establishment and duties of the working group
- The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall convene and provide administrative support for a working group.
- The group will examine research related to the impact of school-provided technology on cognitive function and academic performance.
2) Expenses
- Any expenses incurred by a working group member shall be borne by the individual member or the entity the member represents.
3) Reporting and recommendations
- The working group must submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2025.
- The report should detail findings and include recommendations on best practices for using school-provided technology in educational settings, with a focus on mitigating negative social, behavioral, attention, concentration, and learning impacts.
Procedural and Timeline Details
- Administrative support and collaboration: DoE with the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Report deadline: December 31, 2025.
- Legislative path to date:
- Introduced Feb 10, 2025 (SF 237).
- Subcommittee recommended passage (Feb 19, 2025).
- Subcommittee meeting held Feb 17–19, 2025.
- Committee report approving bill; renumbered as SF 516 (Mar 5, 2025).
Who is Affected
- School districts, educators, students, and families using school-provided technology (laptops, LMS, slide show tools).
- State agencies involved in education and health services, along with vendors or entities represented by working group members.
Potential Impact
- Provides a framework for evidence-based guidance on technology use in schools.
- Could influence state-level policies, procurement, classroom practices, and professional development focused on tech use and student well-being.
- Highlights attention to cognitive and behavioral outcomes alongside academic performance.
