Good afternoon, Prince George Families and Staff,

For Prince George County, our vision for education centers on preparing students to navigate an ever-changing world. As we look out into this world, one of the biggest evolutions we're witnessing is the near-constant advances in technology and the increasing ways it supports our daily lives.

Technology is one of the many tools we use to support instruction at all levels of education. The tools available to us, thanks to technology, help bring concepts to life and information from around the globe, spanning centuries of accumulated knowledge, into our classrooms to expand students' minds. These tools also help to make education accessible to all, supporting our students with disabilities, multilingual students, and others who need assistive support. 

Tools are only effective when used properly and with intention. Technology is no different, and for us, whether it's hardware like Chromebooks or tablets or educational software programs, it must be implemented thoughtfully and strategically. 

With that said, I understand our families have real and valid concerns about how much time children spend on screens. These conversations are happening in our community and across the country, and they're important. When students are using educational technology at school, that use should have a purpose, be active, and be tied to instruction in a meaningful way. For us, it's about quality over quantity, and ensuring any technology we use advances learning safely and responsibly.

Furthermore, educational technology is not a replacement for the practical skills our students also need to succeed in school and in our world once they graduate, such as the value of penmanship and writing on a piece of paper, reading and turning the pages of a physical book, or solving a problem by themselves or with classmates without the use of technology. These essential skills, such as critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship, are the foundation of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, which describes the fundamental knowledge and experiences our students must attain to be successful after graduation in college, the workforce, and in life.

Many of you have most likely read recent stories about school divisions that have developed local guidelines for how and when students use educational technology in their classrooms. While we already have several practices in place that guide our students' meaningful use of educational technology, they are not included in any formal documentation. 

Over the coming weeks, our division's leadership will begin forming a committee of teachers, administrators, and parents to establish formal expectations for our school division across grade levels, based on best practices and research. 

If you are interested in participating in this important work, we invite you to email our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Abbie Martin, at anmartin@pgs.k12.va.us to learn more about how you can be involved in this process.

I appreciate your trust in us to provide the best educational experience for your children, and look forward to working with you as we develop strategies that support our students and give them everything they need to thrive in school and in our ever-evolving world. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wayne Lyle
Superintendent
Prince George County Public Schools