Springfield Public Schools Updating Student Device Procedures for 2026-27 School Year

Springfield Public Schools is updating student device procedures for elementary and middle school students beginning in the 2026-27 school year following continued feedback from families and staff. The changes are designed to support student learning while promoting healthy technology habits and responsible device use.

Under the updated process, elementary and middle school students will continue using district-issued devices during the school day. However, devices will no longer routinely go home with students unless they are specifically checked out for educational purposes or special circumstances.

District instructional leaders say the change is not about reducing student access to technology. Instead, it reflects a broader effort to support healthy student development while ensuring technology remains a purposeful tool for learning rather than a constant presence outside school hours.

SPS remains committed to providing students with access to technology that supports learning, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy. The District will continue maintaining a one-to-one student device ratio at all schools.

As part of the transition, all devices and chargers assigned to current elementary students and current 6th and 7th grade students will be collected this summer so the district’s Technology Services team can inspect, clean, repair, and prepare them for deployment in the fall.

Current 8th grade students should keep their devices and chargers for use in high school next year.

Families can support the transition by ensuring all chargers are returned and encouraging students to remove personal stickers or labels from devices before turning them in.

There are no changes to device procedures at the high school level. High school students will continue taking district-issued devices home as part of their regular instructional program.

Additional details about elementary and middle school device procedures and expectations for the 2026-27 school year will be shared with families before the start of school.