Guides and Templates for Parent Advocacy
Whether it's looking for a template to reach out to your school or more information on the dangers of tech in the classrom, we have what you need below.
1
Guide: Google Chromebook Parental Controls
Most schools employ Google Chromebooks to supplement learning. It’s important for families to layer on additional parental controls, if the school makes this available to you.
2
Template: Opt out of the “Minecraft Education” program
Use this guide from the UK as an example to present to your school. It outlines a code of practice that would make it easier for schools to use technology for the benefit of children in a way that respects their rights.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
3
Template: 7 Questions to Ask Your School On Device Safety
PowerSchool has recently been sued for trafficking the data of 60 million students and teachers. This template can be sent to your school to request what data has been collected on your child and to opt out of data collection.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
4
Support: Book a free consult with attorney Julie Liddell
Julie Liddell and the Ed Tech Law Center works to protect students, parents, teachers and schools from the exploitative practices of the EdTech Industry. If you have a problem where school meets tech, please reach out to their team for a free chat.
5
GUIDE: Screens & Learning Action Kit
The Action Kit was created by Fairplay to provide research-based education and advocacy materials that are easy to use and distribute.
By Fairplay
6
Guide: The EdTech Triangle to Evaluate Classroom Tech
This model helps schools embrace best practices with tech in the classroom by condensing EdTech research into a simple picture model. You can send this to your school and ask them to evaluate their use of technology.
By EverySchool
8
Fact Sheet: Opting Out of EdTech
Parents may not be able to change their school district’s policy on EdTech, but you very likely can have a say in your own child’s exposure to it. Use this Fact Sheet to learn more about opting out of school-issued technology.
By Fairplay
7
Template: Request YouTube Restrictions
YouTube’s addictive and harmful algorithm is a source of great concern for parents. This template can be customized and sent to your school to request that YouTube be blocked from student devices.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
9
Template: Request Device Opt-Out
Many parents believe that device use at schools makes our children unsafe. Here is a template you can use to request complete device opt-out for your child at their school.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
10
Guide: Request Low-Tech Classrooms
Many parents believe that tech is being overused in the classroom. This detailed guide can be presented to your school to support a request for your student’s classroom to move to a low-tech approach.
11
Guide: The Unplug EdTech Toolkit
A resource for parents interested in pushing back on the quantity, quality or scope of technology-based tools in school, with a goal of advocating for healthy and intentional balance.
By Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant
12
Template: Concerns about PowerSchool
PowerSchool has recently been sued for trafficking the data of 60 million students and teachers. This template can be sent to your school to request what data has been collected on your child and to opt out of data collection.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
13
Tool: Safety Ratings for EdTech Apps
The App Microscope by Internet Safety Labs will give you an idea of how safe the educational apps are that your children are accessing. You can use this assessment to convince your school to limit dangerous apps.
14
Guide: How your school can block access to YouTube
This is a guide you can provide to your school district with a list of content filters they should implement to block open browsing of YouTube on school-issued devices.
15
Fact Sheet: Student Data Privacy
Student data is a commodity that the multi-billion-dollar EdTech industry packages, shares, and sells to advertisers, colleges, data aggregators, and anyone else willing to pay. Learn more about the data privacy risks at school and how you can advocate.
By Fairplay
16
Guide: How to review my child’s school-issued device
This guide will show you how to do regular spot checks on your child’s school-issued device to check for any inappropriate or unsafe content.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
17
Guide: UK Code of Practice for Ed Tech
Use this guide from the UK as an example to present to your school. It outlines a code of practice that would make it easier for schools to use technology for the benefit of children in a way that respects their rights.
18
Fact Sheet: Benefits of Pencil and Paper
Using pencil and paper (vs screens) in educational environments helps support brain health. Learn more about the benefits of analog learning and how to advocate at your school.
By Fairplay
19
Guide: Request for less screen time at school
This template can be used to request a screen time limit for your child at their school, using peer-reviewed studies to help back your request.
By Nicki at Scrolling 2 Death
20
Fact Sheet: What AI Can and Cannot Do At School
By Fairplay