HCS to no longer issue elementary and middle school students individual laptops

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Schools have made a policy change regarding technology.

The board approved that change as schools will no longer issue students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade individual laptops.

Instead, teachers will keep devices in their classroom. 

Proponents say this will protect the county from financial losses related to device damage, but others say they’re concerned about equal access to learning materials outside of the classroom.

School board member Jill Black asked, “Are we creating some kind of barrier, like if their parents haven’t paid the school fees or the insurance, are we creating a barrier for them to complete their assignments?”

Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson responded, “No we’ll work through them. Back in the day we had this in place, we’re just reinstituting it. Part of the issue that we’ve heard especially in middle school is around the treatment of devices.”

High schoolers will still be issued their own devices.