Schools Beyond Screens DC is an all-volunteer community group of 1,400 parents, caregivers, teachers, and education stakeholders advocating for the equitable, safe, legal and effective use of technology in our schools.
DC Council is hosting an open forum to discuss technology use in DC public schools on October 9, 2026. This hearing is a direct response to our collective efforts to advocate for a healthier approach that prioritizes teachers and kids, not the profit interests of tech companies. And we need your voices again.
We are asking for DC to join 17+ other states working to bring a more intentional, evidence-based balance to how tech products are deployed in schools.
You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert in education to make your voice heard with elected representatives. You can share a specific experience with tech in the classroom, one of SBS DC’s policy ideas that most resonates with you, the questions you’ve struggled to find answers to, or your positive vision for what a better balance for our kids might look like.
The deadline to register to testify is Wednesday, October 7, at 5 p.m. EDT.
If you’d like spoken language interpretation or sign language interpretation, send an email to the Committee office no later than five business days before the hearing: cow@dccouncil.gov.
Three ways to add your voice
1. Deliver live testimony in person at the Wilson Building. There is a three-minute time limit per speaker. The hearing starts at 10 a.m. and will last until all witnesses are heard.
Location: Room 412 (Track B), John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
2. Deliver live testimony remotely via Zoom video. The three-minute limit applies here, too. Zoom participants will receive instructions before the day. Email amcneedly@dccouncil.gov with any questions.
3. Submit written or voice-recorded testimony. We know attending public hearings in person can be a logistical challenge. Even if you can’t join on October 9, we are urging every member of our community to add a written or voice-recorded testimony to the record.
A written testimony doesn’t have to be a full-fledged essay. A paragraph or two would suffice to share your story and ideas.
Submit testimony now—and send a quick note to schoolsbeyondscreens@gmail.com to let us know you’re all set. Thank you!
What every student deserves
An education without corporate influence
Transparency on DC’s technology spending and how tech is used
Protection for children’s privacy and data security
A curriculum grounded in independent evidence, not tech-funded research
Timely support for students with disabilities and individualized learning needs, with both human support and access to assistive technology
Internet safety and age-appropriate access
Investments into safe facilities, social and emotional learning, youth mental health, and outdoor play and learning
Clear communication and parental consent
More resources
Corporations or Communities: Who Is Building the Future of Public Education?
Brain Breaks: What Does Research Support on Movement Videos?
Beyond i-Ready: A future of human-centered assessment, teaching, and learning
One more thing: Requesting your autograph!
Five months ago, our initial petition to Invest in DC Kids and Teachers quickly reached 1,000 signatures. If you joined our movement more recently, take a couple of minutes now to add your signature, then share widely.
For additional questions about joining us to testify to the DC Council, send a message to schoolsbeyondscreensdc@gmail.com. We’re happy to help. Join our WhatsApp for community opportunities and discussions.