Utah Code § 53G-7-228 — Utah Code / Title 53G / Chapter 53G-7 / § 53G-7-228
§ 53G-7-228. Classroom technology requirements -- Model policy on balanced technology.
Status: in_force

7/1/2026 (1) As used in this section: (a) "Instructional technology" means technology an LEA issues to a student in connection with the student's public education, including: (i) an electronic device; (ii) a digital tool; or (iii) a digital application. (b) "Public school" means a school under the control of: (i) a school district; (ii) a charter school; or (iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. (c) (i) "Screen-time" means the time a student spends using an electronic device with a screen in a classroom setting when the use of the electronic device does not involve instruction, guidance, or interaction with: (A) a teacher; (B) an instructor; or (C) other designated educational personnel. (ii) "Screen-time" does not include school work or instruction for an online student as that term is defined in Section 53G-6-705. (2) (a) Before an LEA allows a public school to use an instructional technology in the classroom, the LEA shall ensure that instructional technology is: (i) demonstrated to have significant educational value; (ii) absent of design features that: (A) interfere with learning; (B) distract from instruction; or (C) reduce academic focus; (iii) supported by evidence, data, or demonstrated educational value appropriate to the grade level; (iv) safe for a student's physical, cognitive, and emotional development; (v) effective in supporting student learning outcomes; (vi) not used as a substitute for instruction; (vii) intentionally integrated into instruction to enhance student learning outcomes; and (viii) compliant with state standards and law, including: (A) Section 53G-10-103, Sensitive instructional materials; and (B) Title 53E, Chapter 9, Student Privacy and Data Protection. (b) An LEA shall select, deploy, and monitor instructional technology in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (2)(a). (3) An LEA shall: (a) minimize non-essential screen-time; (b) prioritize purposeful engagement with instructional technology that directly supports instructional goals; (c) adopt internal monitoring and accountability policies to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section; (d) provide training to faculty and staff on the requirements of this section; (e) before July 1, 2027: (i) adopt the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a); or (ii) adopt an amended version of the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a), that includes: (A) a balanced instructional technology use policy that is safe, lawful, effective, intentional, and compliant with Title 53E, Chapter 9, Student Privacy and Data Protection, and Section 53G-10-103; (B) a resource plan for students who demonstrate a pattern of difficulty learning through technology-based instruction, in accordance with Section 53G-7-229; (C) a requirement of transparency with parents regarding instructional technology use; (D) an artificial intelligence use policy with a structure similar to the structure of the model artificial intelligence use policy described in Section 53G-7-1402; and (E) a grade-level framework with a structure similar to the grade-level framework described in Subsection (5)(d); (f) for the policy the LEA adopts in accordance with Subsection (3)(e), submit to the state board: (i) the finalized policy; and (ii) a statement confirming the LEA held a public meeting in accordance with Subsection (4). (4) Before an LEA adopts a policy in accordance with Subsection (3)(e), an LEA governing board shall hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed policy that: (a) allows for public comment; and (b) complies with the requirements of Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act. (5) The state board shall: (a) create a model policy on balanced technology use in the classroom that: (i) prioritizes developmental appropriateness and age-based limits on screen exposure; (ii) requires transparency with parents regarding instructional technology use; (iii) prohibits instructional technology practices that undermine student safety, privacy, or wellbeing; (iv) requires regular review of instructional technology to ensure compliance with the requirements listed in Subsection (2)(a); (v) promotes educator modeling of appropriate and responsible technology use; and (vi) emphasizes the use of adaptive technologies to support competency-based instruction; (b) include, as part of the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a), the model artificial intelligence use policy described in Section 53G-7-1402; (c) post the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a) on the state board's website before December 1, 2026; (d) include in the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a) the following grade-level frameworks: (i) for grades kindergarten through 3: (A) prohibiting a student from taking home school-owned instructional technology; (B) prohibiting a required ratio of one electronic device to one student; (C) prohibiting all screen-time in the classroom except for introduction of state kindergarten through grade 5 computer science standards and preparation for, and administration of, a standards assessment; (D) emphasizing hands-on, print-based, and developmentally appropriate learning exercises; and (E) prohibiting homework that requires access to the internet or instructional technology; (ii) for grades 4 through 6 in an elementary school: (A) prohibiting a student from taking home school-owned instructional technology; (B) prohibiting a required ratio of one electronic device to one student; (C) balancing the use of an instructional technology with instruction through teacher-led, print-based, and analog methods; (D) limiting the use of instructional technology to only instances with direct teacher supervision for a defined academic purpose; (E) prohibiting a public school from sending instructional technology home with a student; (F) prohibiting homework requiring access to the internet or instructional technology; and (G) limiting access to the internet through filters consistent with age-appropriate standards; (iii) for middle or junior high school: (A) allowing a student to take home a school issued device for school work or an academic program that the LEA approves, only when a parent opts-in through written consent; (B) balancing the use of an instructional technology with instruction through teacher-led, print-based, and analog methods; and (C) limiting access to the internet through filters consistent with age-appropriate standards; and (iv) for high school: (A) allowing a student to take an instructional technology home, provided a parent does not choose to opt the parent's student out; (B) balancing the use of an instructional technology with instruction through teacher-led, print-based, and analog methods; and (C) limiting access to the internet through filters consistent with age-appropriate standards; (e) for an LEA that fails to adopt or create a policy in accordance with Subsection (3)(e), declare the model policy described in Subsection (5)(a) as the default policy for that LEA; and (f) adopt a method for evaluating and measuring the effectiveness of the requirements listed in Subsection (2)(a). (6) The frameworks described in Subsection (5)(d) do not apply to: (a) a course where instructional technology is integral to the subject matter of the course or specialty class; (b) instruction or equipment related to: (i) online district and charter schools; and (ii) the Statewide Online Education Program created in Section 53F-4-502; (c) a course or instruction designed to meet core technology standards the state board creates under Section 53E-4-202; (d) an AI sandbox course as that term is defined in Section 53G-7-1401; (e) a public school located within the boundaries of a tribal nation where the LEA is the internet service provider; or (f) instructional technology use consistent with a student's IEP or 504 plan. (7) (a) Upon the adoption of the policy required under Subsection (3)(e)(i) or (3)(e)(ii), an LEA shall submit a report to the state board detailing the specifics of the policy the LEA adopts. (b) An LEA that changes the policy after submitting the report described in Subsection (7)(a) shall submit the updated policy to the state board. (8) (a) As a condition of receiving state funds allocated for digital literacy, computer science, or educational technology programs described in Section 53F-2-510, an LEA shall certify to the state board that the LEA has adopted and is implementing: (i) a policy on balanced technology use in the classroom in accordance with this section; (ii) a resource program for students demonstrating a pattern of difficulty with technology-related learning in accordance with Section 53G-7-229; and (iii) an artificial intelligence use policy consistent with the model artificial intelligence use policy described in Section 53G-7-1402. (b) The state board may withhold or delay the distribution of funds described in Subsection (8)(a) to an LEA that fails to meet the requirements of this section until the LEA demonstrates compliance. (9) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to implement the provisions of this section.