It’s ‘back to pencil, paper’ for this KY school that’s shifting away from tech

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, Simons Middle School in Fleming County is “shifting away from routine Chromebook use during class,” a recent school Facebook post said.

“We’re going back to more pencil, paper and hands-on learning. This change is based on extensive research showing improved learning outcomes when screens aren’t the focus,” the school announced.

“Chromebooks will still be used as needed for state testing and specific assignments, but moving forward our aim will be to limit technology use,” the announcement said.

On Saturday night, that announcement got the attention of the Kentucky Teachers In The Know Facebook group.

“Excellent job (Simons) Middle School. I hope the rest of the state follows your lead regarding Chromebooks,” a post said.

The New York Times reported in March that after tens of billions of dollars of school spending on Chromebooks, iPads and learning apps, studies have found that digital tools have generally not improved students’ academic results or graduation rates.

“Schools in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Michigan that once bought devices for each student are now re-evaluating heavy classroom technology use. And Chromebooks, the laptops most popular with U.S. schools, have emerged as a focal point. School leaders, educators and parents described the laptop curbs as an effort to refocus schooling on skills like student collaboration and conversation,” the New York Times reported.

Fleming County Superintendent Brian Creasman told the Herald-Leader Saturday night, “this shift is largely the result of student voice, along with feedback from parents and guardians.”

Students have consistently asked for greater balance in their learning experiences, where learning is not dominated by a computer screen, he said.

“While Fleming County Schools has intentionally focused on expanding real-world learning opportunities, students have continued to express the desire for more face-to-face collaboration, discussion, and engagement with classmates rather than primarily interacting through digital platforms,” said Creasman.

“The Fleming County Board of Education supports schools as they work to create learning experiences that are purposeful, real-world, personalized, and grounded in meaningful human interaction,” Creasman said.

This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 8:06 AM.