HOUSE MEMORIAL 2

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Joy Garratt

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE USE OF SCREEN TIME FOR INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AND REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR SCREEN USE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

 

     WHEREAS, research shows that excessive screen time for young children is associated with higher levels of stress, sleep disruption, decreased attention span and negative impacts on social-emotional development; and

     WHEREAS, professional organizations such as the American academy of pediatrics recommend limited and developmentally appropriate use of digital devices for young children; and

     WHEREAS, in many public schools, especially those facing staffing shortages, screens are increasingly used for tasks that once involved hands-on learning, exploratory play and direct interaction with educators and peers; and

     WHEREAS, educators report that overreliance on digital platforms in elementary grades reduces opportunities for students to develop foundational skills such as handwriting, early literacy, numeracy, problem solving, teamwork and communication; and

      WHEREAS, families and educators have raised concerns about the amount of time elementary students spend on tablets, laptops and online programs for tasks that could be achieved through more developmentally appropriate, hands-on methods; and

      WHEREAS, schools have a responsibility to ensure that instructional practices support the academic, social, emotional and physical development of students and are supported by research-based best practices; and

      WHEREAS, limiting unnecessary screen time aligns with the goals of many school districts to improve student well-being, increase engagement and support healthier classroom communities; and

     WHEREAS, elementary students are assessed using computer-based testing several times per year, and mandated computerized tutoring sessions associated with the assessments are also required, which adds to students' screen time; and

     WHEREAS, as required by the court decision in the Martinez/Yazzie lawsuit, the state must determine whether required computer-based tests are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate procedures given the specific cultural and linguistic characteristics of the children being assessed; and

     WHEREAS, as required by the court decision in the Martinez/Yazzie lawsuit, the state must delineate the specific accessibility features of computer-based testing to determine what specific accommodations may still be needed by students with disabilities as well as to determine whether a computer- based test may create new accessibility issues;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to conduct a comprehensive study of the use of screen time for instruction and assessment in elementary classrooms, including the impacts of programs on student learning, development and well-being; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to collaborate with families, educators and administrators to establish developmentally appropriate guidelines for daily screen use in elementary classrooms; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to ensure that any required technology use in elementary school classrooms is purposeful, evidence-based, equitable and supportive of healthy child development; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee and the public education department for appropriate distribution.

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