BEVERLY HILLS, CA — School officials have approved a sweeping new policy that limits classroom technology for younger students while gradually expanding digital and artificial intelligence education in later grades.
The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education this week unanimously approved the policy in a 5-0 vote, establishing grade-by-grade expectations for device use, digital learning and AI instruction.
The policy, “Intentional Technology Use in the Classroom, Digital Learning, and Artificial Intelligence Education,” is intended to ensure technology supports instruction without replacing traditional learning methods, district officials said.
Under the policy, direct teacher instruction, handwriting, physical books, classroom discussion, mental and written math work, experiential learning and independent reasoning will remain central to classroom instruction.
“BHUSD has proven it is a leader in the educational landscape,” board President Judy Manouchehri said in a statement. “This historic policy provides a step-by-step framework with deliberate and appropriate limitations on technology use.”
Manouchehri said the policy is designed to protect creativity and curiosity among younger students while increasing access to technology and AI education as students mature.
The policy was developed following community input and three public board study sessions. Manouchehri and board Vice President Sigalie Sabag were designated to guide its development.
Students in transitional kindergarten through second grade will not be assigned individual devices. Technology use will generally be limited to required assessments, teacher-led activities and legally required accommodations.
Students in third through fifth grades will continue to focus on handwriting, physical books, paper-based mathematics and direct teacher interaction.
They will also participate in a Technology and Innovation Program covering coding, robotics, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety and basic artificial intelligence concepts.
Middle school students will receive annual instruction in AI literacy, digital ethics, cybersecurity, coding, research, media literacy and responsible digital citizenship.
At the high school level, technology will be used to support advanced academics, college readiness and career preparation. The policy also calls for continued emphasis on writing, discussion, critical thinking, independent learning and original student work.
“Technology should never replace the essential work of learning,” Superintendent Alex Cherniss said in a statement.
The district is reducing unnecessary screen time while developing AI literacy, ethical-use instruction and prompt-engineering coursework that could eventually become part of graduation requirements, Cherniss said.
The policy prohibits teachers from using artificial intelligence to grade student work, assign scores, write final evaluative comments or replace professional judgment.
It also restricts gaming and non-curricular websites on district devices.
Families will receive weekly summaries showing how district devices are being used, according to BHUSD.
District officials said the policy differs from approaches that focus only on reducing screen time or regulating artificial intelligence. The framework also outlines what traditional learning practices should replace technology and how digital education should expand as students advance through school.
The policy builds on a resolution approved by the board in March that established guidelines for intentional technology use and student screen time.
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