Skip To Main Content

Instructional Technology Focus for the 2026-27 School Year

As we begin the 2026-27 school year, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District remains committed to providing students with engaging, high-quality learning experiences while continuously evaluating the tools and practices that best support student success. Technology plays an important role in teaching and learning, and we are committed to ensuring that its use is purposeful, authentic, and aligned with district and statewide educational goals.

At the same time, we continue to strengthen safeguards that promote student safety and well-being in digital environments. As technology evolves, the district regularly reviews its practices to balance meaningful learning opportunities with responsible and secure technology use.

As part of this ongoing review, district leadership invited professional staff to complete a survey at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. Staff feedback, along with input from students, families, and district leaders, helped inform the priorities and adjustments outlined below for the 2026-27 school year.

The information that follows provides an overview of the district's instructional technology priorities, including our approach to the use of Chromebooks, YouTube, and other digital resources. These changes are intended to support student learning, promote healthy technology habits, and ensure that digital tools continue to serve as effective resources in our classrooms.

All Grade Levels

Reinforce Consistent Expectations for Instructional Technology Use

  • All technology use must be used in ways that are purposeful, authentic, and aligned to district curriculum and state learning standards. 

  • Technology should not be used as a reward for non-curriculum or non-standards-aligned activities, unless indicated in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or accommodation plan.

Strengthen Classroom Expectations for Technology Use

  • Teachers will be recommended to use GoGuardian to monitor and restrict student access on school-issued Chromebooks.
    • Teachers will be offered GoGuardian training to support consistent implementation and to improve effectiveness of use of this tool so that they can better monitor student Chromebook use.
  • Technology should support instruction rather than distract from it.

Strengthen Internet and AI Filtering

  • The district has implemented enhanced filtering policies that include real-time detection and blocking of proxy sites, including game aggregators such as Google Sites and similar webpages containing embedded games. These updates replace the previous manual process for blocking Google Sites.
  • The district continues to restrict direct access to generative artificial intelligence for students and is actively investigating solutions to AI summaries included in internet searches on Chromebooks.
  • Additional community and staff input will be sought if the district considers providing access to AI tools to students.

Streamline Access to YouTube

  • Based on feedback from the technology survey, the district will continue to evaluate YouTube access through the formation of a Technology Advisory Council. The council will receive a demonstration of current student access and controls when considering any future recommendations.
  • Please see specific YouTube guidelines for each grade level below.  

Grades K-2

Prioritize Teacher-Led Instruction and Collaborative Learning

  • Technology use will be focused solely on specific curriculum- and standards-aligned lessons and assessments.
  • Expectations for technology use during curriculum- and standards-aligned lessons using district-wide curriculum materials can be found here.

Implement Consistent Student Learning Management System

  • The district has replaced Seesaw with Schoology as its learning management system for students in grades K-2 to align with all other grades. 
  • Schoology increases parent/guardian access to student learning information and includes fewer embedded digital activities.

Streamline Apps on K-2 iPads

  • The district will remove apps that are no longer needed to support instructional priorities.

Reduce Online Assessments

  • The district has reduced the number of online assessments administered in grades K-2.

Continue Blocking YouTube on District-Issued iPads

District leaders will provide K-2 teachers with guidance on these instructional technology expectations and the rationale behind the changes.

Grades 3-5

Strengthen Expectations for Curriculum Enrichment (CE)

  • District and school leaders will work with educators during fall 2026 to reinforce expectations for Curriculum Enrichment (CE) time by:
    • Developing more non-digital, interactive, and personalized learning experiences.
    • Using student data to determine when and how digital tools and interventions can most effectively support learning and growth.
  • Expectations for technology use with district-wide curriculum materials can be found here.

Maintain the Current Chromebook Model

  • Chromebooks in grades 3-5 are housed on classroom carts and do not go home with students. The district will maintain the current number of devices because:
    • Reducing access would extend assessment windows.
    • Reducing access would limit instructional time and flexibility during the school day.

Limit YouTube Access

  • Students in grades 3-5 cannot search or browse YouTube. Access is limited to direct links to videos categorized as educational.
  • We enabled a new feature for grades 3 through 5 which disables searching and browsing of YouTube.com. 

Grades 6-12

Continue Reviewing Take-Home Device Practices for Middle School Students

  • Any changes to take-home Chromebook practices will require additional consideration and community input.
  • The Technology Advisory Council will consider this topic during fall 2026.

Strengthen Expectations for Chromebook Use

  • Building administrators will reinforce expectations for Chromebook use, emphasizing that devices should only be used to support instruction.
  • Device use must directly support learning outcomes and will occur only when directed by a teacher.

Continue Chromebook-Free Middle School Lunch and Recess

  • Students will be prohibited from using Chromebooks during lunch and both indoor and outdoor recess.

Continue Filtered YouTube Access

  • Students in grades 6-12 will have filtered access to YouTube, including:
    • Access only to categorized educational videos.
    • No access to shorts, featured videos, thumbnails, comments, and related-video sidebars

Looking Ahead

Expand Communication with Families

The district will continue communicating with families about instructional technology expectations and classroom practices.

School principals will reinforce these expectations through ongoing communication with families.

To learn more about the Technology Advisory Council, including its purpose, membership, meeting schedule, and how to express interest in serving, visit the Technology Advisory Council webpage.