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New York
 

The FOCUS ACT

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WHAT IS THE FOCUS ACT?

The FOCUS Act, or New York State Senate Bill S10685, is a bill that, if passed, would limit use of internet enabled and electronic devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods for K-12 students across New York state. 

Tech corporations are treating kids like a science experiment, flooding schools with questionable ed tech products without oversight, family input, or basic evaluation. That free-for-all may help Big Tech’s bottom line, but it certainly isn’t helping kids learn, [the] FOCUS Act fills the void by creating rules of the road to ensure learning comes first.
 

-New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes

WHAT WOULD THE FOCUS ACT DO?

Create Generative AI and chat-bot-free classrooms 

 

Prioritize evidence-based analog learning methods: pencils, books, and paper

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  • Refocus School Technology Toward “Intentional Tech” Use

    • 2K-5: Device-free classrooms

    • Restore analog-based homework through 8th grade

    • Grades 6th-12th: shared computer carts or labs

    • Grades 9th-12th: 1-to-1 devices with parental opt-in only
       

  • Safer Classroom Technology With Better Oversight

    • Require school-issued devices to be free of social media, games and gamified design, messaging, AI chatbots, and cameras

    • Require Ed Tech companies to register with the A.G.’s office 

    • Only allow ed tech products that meet improved data privacy standards and pass independent testing demonstrating improved learning outcomes
       

  • ​Strengthen Parental Transparency and Rights

    • Require schools to inform parents of device, app, and tech use plans prior to school year start  

    • Secure parent’s rights to opt-out of Ed Tech
       

  • Maintain access to quality assistive technologies for kids with demonstrated needs in the form of IEPs or 504s

    • The same improved oversight and vetting for gen ed technology will apply to assistive technologies ensuring greater transparency, data privacy protection, and learning outcomes
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  • Update Technology Instruction

    • Improve computer literacy standards to include education on social media harms, AI literacy, and media literacy skills

“Big tech has made it clear that their goal is to make school classrooms a customer pipeline. The FOCUS Act will help stop these ed tech companies from preying on our students and ensure our state has clear and defined guidelines on the use of screens, AI, and technology in our classrooms,”

-NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Chair of the New York City Council's Oversight and Investigations Committee.

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