As the new school year kicks off, Granville County Public Schools is leading the movement to reduce screen time at school with a new “Skills Before Screens” initiative. District leaders say the goal is not to remove technology, but to create better balance among digital learning, hands-on skills and meaningful connections between students and teachers. 

The district began testing this approach last school year by limiting some student technology use and is now expanding the effort districtwide. 

“We’re not anti-technology, we’re just pro-learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne . “We know that when it comes to the classroom, there is no replacing a great teacher, and our students deserve nothing less.”

Under the new “Skills Before Screens” initiative:

• Student school technology will be turned off every Monday and Tuesday across the district
• Students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have no technology
• Students in Grades 3rd through 8th will no longer take school devices home
• High Schools will continue using their 1-to-1 Chromebook program

A National Issue

Schools across the nation are starting to examine how increased technology use, online distractions, and screen time affect student learning and wellness. 

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) surveyed public school leaders and found that many educators are concerned about the impact of cell phone and digital distractions in schools.

According to the survey:

• 53% of public school leaders said cell phone use negatively affected academic performance.
• 72% said cell phones negatively affected students' mental health.
• 73% said cell phones negatively affected student attention spans. 

Note: Granville County’s initiative focuses on school-issued devices rather than personal cell phones, but the larger issue is helping students develop focus, independence, and responsible technology habits. 

Student Wellness and Screen Time Concerns

According to the Healthy People 2030 initiative, excessive screen time among young children can be associated with: 

• Higher body mass index
• Less sleep
• Developmental concerns 

North Carolina’s Governor Josh Stein highlighted a report from his Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being that examined school districts that restricted wireless device use and reported improvements such as:

• Increased student engagement
• More social interaction
• Fewer discipline concerns

“Getting rid of the distraction of cell phones in classrooms prioritizes our students' well-being and academic achievement and improves their learning environments, said Governor Stein. “I am encouraged to hear that schools are seeing improved academic outcomes, increased social interactions and engagement, and fewer discipline concerns after implementing their local policy.”

Granville County is Showing Improvement

Dr. Mary Warehime, a 6-12 ELA Instructional Coach, said this initiative is focused on creating classrooms where students have strong relationships, rigorous instruction, and a balance between technology and human interaction. 

To support this, the district also collected feedback from staff and students after tech-free days.

One teacher shared: 

"Technology free days have been a really positive thing in my classroom. Students stay more focused and actually stick to their work longer. I notice deeper thinking. They're not rushing or clicking, but really reading and figuring things out. They also talk to each other more and work better together. Overall, the room feels calmer and I can clearly see what they truly understand.”

One student shared:

“The technology-free days for me are somewhat of a refresher and give my eyes a break from staring at a screen most of the day. I have realized I do not have a headache at the end of tech free days.”

What This Means for Granville County Families

Granville County Public Schools’ “Skills Before Screens initiative is about making sure students develop the skills they need to succeed in a world where technology will continue to grow.

According to Michael Spradlin, Director of Technology for Granville County Schools, “These changes are not due to the fact that our district is anti-technology. Whether our students pursue higher education, employment, or enlistment after school, technology will be a part of their professional and personal lives.” 

The message is clear: Technology will remain part of education, but it should be used with intention. 

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