A curated library for parents, educators, and community members who want to better understand the movement toward healthier childhood balance, thoughtful classroom technology use, and practical community action.
These resources are shared for learning and context. Inclusion does not mean Rutherford Unplugged endorses every position or recommendation from each source.
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Start Here: Five resources to understand the issue
FEATURED GUIDE
New to the issue? These resources provide the best starting point for understanding the local context, the broader movement, practical tools, and examples of districts taking action.
01. Local District Documents & Policies
Rutherford Student Technology Device Policy
Review the district’s own policy language governing school-provided technology devices.
This gives parents a local starting point for understanding how school-issued devices are framed, issued, and governed.
02. Practical Family Tools
Screens & Learning Action Kit
A parent- and educator-facing toolkit with fact sheets, school recommendations, opt-out guidance, and organizing materials.
This is one of the most practical resources for families who want to understand the issue and take constructive action.
03. Parent Pledges & Movements
Schools Beyond Screens
A national coalition of parents and educators advocating for evidence-based guidelines around classroom technology.
It shows that similar parent-led concerns are emerging beyond Rutherford and provides a model for constructive organizing.
04. School & Community Action
South Orange-Maplewood Technology Update
A district letter describing a balanced-use approach, including a shift away from 1:1 devices at the elementary level.
This is a concrete example of a nearby district making policy changes similar to the issues Rutherford Unplugged is raising.
05. Practical Family Tools
The EdTech Triangle
A research-based framework for distinguishing helpful classroom technology from restrictive or disruptive screen use.
It gives parents and educators a shared vocabulary for balanced technology use rather than rejecting technology altogether.
Browse by Topic
Jump directly to the type of resource you need.
Local District Documents & Policies
Rutherford-specific documents and policies that help families understand the current technology environment.
District Document
Chromebook Handbook
The district handbook for Chromebook use, care, repair, and student / parent responsibilities.
District Resource
Tech Zone – Student / Parent
Rutherford’s parent/student technology resource page with Chromebook care, repair, forms, insurance information, PowerSchool, Google tools, digital literacy, and AI resources.
District Policy
Student Technology Device Policy
Board policy setting guidelines for issuing and using school-provided technology devices.
District Policy
Acceptable Use Policy
Rutherford Board of Education policy governing acceptable use of district computer networks, internet access, filtering, monitoring, student safety, prohibited uses, and school-furnished electronic devices.
Practical Family Tools
Guides, frameworks, and toolkits families can use to better understand classroom technology and advocate constructively.
Toolkit
Screens & Learning Action Kit
A toolkit with fact sheets, school recommendations, opt-out guidance, and organizing materials for parents and educators.
Framework
The EdTech Triangle
A framework for distinguishing helpful classroom technology from restrictive or disruptive screen use.
Parent Resource
Tech-Safe Learning Coalition
A parent-facing resource focused on school-issued technology, digital safety, templates, parent stories, and advocacy guidance.
Legal / Policy Resource
EdTech Law Center
A resource for families interested in student privacy, school-issued devices, EdTech accountability, and parent rights.
Family Guidance
The Screentime Consultant
Guidance for families and schools looking to become more intentional about screen habits and technology norms.
Parent Pledges & Movements
Examples of parent-led and community-led efforts focused on healthier childhood technology norms.
Parent Movement
Schools Beyond Screens
A national coalition of parents and educators advocating for evidence-based classroom technology guidelines.
Organizing Tools
Four Norms
A platform for parent groups building healthier technology norms through campaigns, community agreements, events, and shared organizing tools.
School & Community Action
Examples of school districts, communities, and policymakers reconsidering classroom technology use.
District Example
South Orange-Maplewood Technology Update
A nearby district update describing a balanced-use approach and a shift away from 1:1 devices at the elementary level.
What changed: Limits on younger-grade Chromebook use, YouTube restrictions, and renewed attention to handwriting.
District Action
Nation’s 2nd Largest District Moves to Limit Student Screen Use
Education Week reports on Los Angeles Unified approving a policy process to limit classroom screen use by grade level.
What changed: The resolution calls for grade-level limits and restrictions on student-led video streaming.
Policy Action
Utah Lawmakers Propose Limits on Classroom Technology
A report on proposed state-level classroom technology limits and an “analog-first” shift.
What changed: Classroom technology use is being reconsidered at the legislative level.
National Example
Chromebook Remorse: Tech Backlash at Schools Extends Beyond Phones
A reported article on growing pushback against school-issued devices beyond phone bans.
What changed: The discussion is expanding from phones to school-issued laptops and classroom platforms.
District Example
Canon-McMillan to Eliminate Chromebooks for Younger Students
CBS Pittsburgh reports that the district will stop providing Chromebooks to kindergarten through second-grade students.
What changed: Younger students will no longer receive Chromebooks as part of the district’s program.
Research & Evidence
Research summaries, scientific reporting, and evidence-focused resources on learning, development, attention, handwriting, and screen use.
Research Summary
Screen time and emotional problems in kids
An APA-reported research summary on the relationship between children’s screen time and emotional problems.
Learning Research
Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning
Scientific American explains research on handwriting, brain activity, memory, and learning.
Education Data
Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a “Generation-Long Decline”
A data-focused article on long-term test-score decline and the broader academic context facing U.S. schools.
Articles & Commentary
Journalism, opinion, and long-form commentary that help explain the broader public conversation around school technology.
Commentary
Ed Tech Is Profitable. It Is Also Mostly Useless
A commentary-style article arguing that educational technology has produced limited learning gains despite major spending and adoption.
Opinion
Big Tech Has Transformed the Classroom – and Parents Are Right to Be Worried
A Guardian opinion article raising concerns about commercial technology’s influence on classrooms and learning.
Reporting
Parents Opt Kids Out of School Laptops, Ask for Pen and Paper
A reported article about parents seeking lower-tech classroom options and alternatives to school laptop use.
Reporting
Parents Battle Over Tech Reaches the Classroom
A reported article on parent conflict and organizing around classroom technology and screen use.
Reporting
How YouTube Took Over The American Classroom
A reported article examining YouTube’s role in classrooms and school-issued devices.
Analysis
The U.S. Spent $30 Billion to Ditch Textbooks for Laptops and Tablets
A reported article connecting school technology spending, device adoption, and concerns about student learning.
Reporting
The Risks of AI in Schools Outweigh the Benefits, Report Says
A news report on concerns raised about artificial intelligence in schools.
Long-form Commentary
What Will It Take to Get A.I. Out of Schools?
A long-form article on AI, education, commercial influence, and classroom adoption concerns.
Reporting
The Revolt Against i-Ready
A reported article about parent, teacher, and student frustration with i-Ready and personalized learning software.
Books & Long-form Reading
Deeper reading for parents and community members who want to explore the issue in greater depth.
The Digital Delusion
A book-length critique of digital learning assumptions and the belief that more classroom technology automatically improves education.
Best for readers who want a deeper argument about learning, cognition, and the limits of screen-based instruction.
The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt’s book on adolescent mental health, the decline of play-based childhood, and the rise of phone-based childhood.
Best for readers looking for a broader frame around childhood independence, play, phones, and collective action.
Know of a useful resource?
We welcome thoughtful articles, district examples, parent tools, research summaries, and community action models that may help Rutherford families better understand this issue.