Two decades of classroom tech and falling student scores
Feb 22nd 2026
What began with Maine's 2002 laptop program has grown into a nationwide push for devices in schools, and researchers now link increased in-class screen time with declining standardized test performance and weaker attention.
- Maine launched a statewide laptop program in 2002 and expanded device distribution to tens of thousands of students by 2016.
- By 2024 the U.S. had spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools.
- Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath testified that Gen Z scores lower on some standardized tests than previous generations and connected declines to more school screen time.
- International and national test data show correlations between greater computer use in class and worse outcomes for 15 year olds.
- Observational studies find students spend roughly two thirds of device time on off task activities, which disrupts sustained attention and memory formation.
- The rise of smartphones and short video apps is blamed for lowering effortful engagement and increasing task switching in learning environments.
- Policy responses include state bans on phones during instruction, school rules limiting nonacademic device use, and calls for research based efficacy standards and stronger limits on data collection for minors.
- Experts warn that weaker learning and critical thinking skills could worsen job prospects amid AI driven labor shifts and undermine societys ability to solve complex future problems.