← National comparison

State profile · NY

New York

Reviewed policies, grades and school implementation dates. District examples cover 2 distinct districts; it is not a statewide implementation survey.

Filter & export this state →
Detailed device brief

Rules for use: affected grades and timing

Personal devices · statewide finding

Elementary
Full school day
Middle
Full school day
High
Full school day

Unsanctioned internet-enabled device use is prohibited throughout the school day, including noninstructional periods.

Policies by August 1, 2025; applies from 2025–26.

Exceptions & source ↗

School devices, screen time and student AI

New York City Public Schools · Current

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 2K–2

Grades: 2K through grade 2 · Requirement: Required

NYCPS policy provides no routine 1:1 student screen time in grades 2K–2. Teacher-led whole/small-group technology use and specified accessibility, assessment, remote-learning and centrally approved instructional exceptions remain available.

Starts / rollout: 2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.

Adoption, exceptions & funding evidence ↗

New York City Public Schools · Current

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 3–5

Grades: Grades 3 through 5 · Requirement: Recommended

NYCPS recommends no more than 30 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time for students in grades 3–5, with specified instructional, assessment and accessibility exceptions.

Starts / rollout: 2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.

Adoption, exceptions & funding evidence ↗

New York City Public Schools · Current

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 6–8

Grades: 6-8 · Requirement: Recommended

NYCPS recommends no more than 45 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time for students in grades 6–8, with specified instructional, assessment and accessibility exceptions.

Starts / rollout: 2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.

Adoption, exceptions & funding evidence ↗

Learning & relevant rules for use

What changes by age?

Compare this state

Reviewed learning policies will appear here as coverage expands. The state’s reviewed rules for use appear above.

Teacher capacity, funding & delivery

No reviewed support program is listed here yet. Individual policy details include any documented funding or training provision.

Questions for a district curriculum meeting
  1. Which students receive instruction, in which grades and subjects, and for how much time?
  2. What sequence connects computing concepts, data, AI understanding and digital judgment?
  3. Who teaches it, and what training, preparation time and accessible materials do they receive?
  4. Which documented funding or services can support delivery, and what remains a local budget decision?
  5. What student work demonstrates understanding? Check who participates and who is missing.

These are Stewart Brown’s planning questions, not additional legal requirements.

Reviewed policy findings, district examples & history (25 records)

Restrictions

Current evidence indexed

1 action in this collection

Governance

Current evidence indexed

2 actions in this collection

Learning

Evidence gap

No current statewide record indexed. Research remains open.

Current statewide policies

New York· State / DCCurrent

Education Law §2803 — Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day

Unsanctioned internet-enabled device use is prohibited throughout the school day, including noninstructional periods.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 3, 2026

Personal devices
Requirement
Required with local discretion
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
Adopted / approved
May 9, 2025
Legal start
Sep 1, 2025
School implementation
Policies by August 1, 2025; applies from 2025–26.
New York· State / DCCurrent

Education Law §2-d — Student data privacy and contractor safeguards

Educational agencies must publish a parent privacy bill of rights, disclose third-party data contracts, safeguard student information and prohibit its sale or marketing use.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Privacy / cybersecurity
Requirement
Required
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Ongoing statutory requirements for covered educational agencies and contracts; current online revision July 5, 2024.
New York· State / DCCurrent

General Municipal Law §995-b — Cybersecurity incident reporting

School districts and BOCES must report cybersecurity incidents and applicable ransom demands within 72 hours after reasonably believing an incident occurred.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Privacy / cybersecurity
Requirement
Required
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Report within72 hours of reasonably believing an incident occurred; include applicable ransom demands. Current statutory revision August 1, 2025.

Upcoming requirements

No records in this section have been published. This is an evidence gap in the collection, not a determination that no relevant action exists.

Proposals under consideration

New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — Fostering Optimal Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Act

The active FOCUS Act proposal would require schools to provide no school-issued devices to Pre-K–5 pupils and generally prohibit their access to internet-enabled/electronic devices on school grounds, subject to statutory exceptions.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

School-issued devices
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
Pre-K through grade 5
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

The active FOCUS Act proposal would limit grades 6-8 access to school-issued devices to supervised computer-lab or cart models rather than one-to-one devices.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

School-issued devices
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
6-8
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

The active FOCUS Act proposal would allow high-school one-to-one school-issued devices only with caregiver opt-in, with separate opt-in for off-premises use; lab/cart models would remain permitted.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

School-issued devices
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
9-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would direct the commissioner to submit revised CS/digital-fluency standards for Regents approval, including media literacy focused on synthetic content, digital citizenship and screen/social-media effects.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Media literacy
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
Standards development required
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10133 / A9190 — AI before ninth grade

Would prohibit classroom AI before ninth grade, with exceptions for diagnostic purposes and explicit instructional interventions for students with disabilities.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Student AI
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
K-8
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Referred to Senate Education April 30, 2026; proposal only as of October 4, 2026.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would prohibit homework requiring internet access, an electronic device or educational technology in pre-K–8.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Screen time
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
Pre-K–8
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would minimize required digital homework in grades 9–12 and provide non-digital alternatives where feasible.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Screen time
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
9-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would prioritize non-digital instruction where feasible and allow refusal of school-device tasks when a reasonable non-digital alternative exists.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

School-issued devices
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would bar AI companions, generative AI and conversational AI on school-issued devices, subject to statutory instructional and accessibility exceptions.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Student AI
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.
New York· State / DCProposed

S10685 / A11669 — FOCUS Act

Would block social-media, gaming and messaging platforms on school-issued devices and restrict displayed media to instructional purposes.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Social media / network
Requirement
Proposed / pending
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Proposal only. Official page lists Senate Rules Committee as of October 4, 2026. Enactment-contingent dates are not current requirements.

Selected district examples

New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS AI and Screen Time Policy Updates — Grades 2K–8

For 2026-27, NYCPS does not permit software that uses student-facing generative AI in grades 2K–8, with accessibility-related protections preserved.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Student AI
Requirement
Required
Grades
2K through grade 8
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS AI and Screen Time Policy Updates — Grades 9–12

For 2026-27, high-school student-facing AI is limited to centrally approved, vetted pilots and specified career-readiness contexts with teacher supervision rather than unrestricted general use.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Student AI
Requirement
Required
Grades
9-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS High School AI Literacy Requirement

All NYCPS high-school students are required to complete two 45-minute AI-literacy modules covering how AI works, data privacy and bias, and appropriate uses of AI in school; some CTE/certification/pilot participants receive deeper AI learning.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

AI literacy
Requirement
Required
Grades
9-12
Learning evidence
Student instruction required
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 2K–2

NYCPS policy provides no routine 1:1 student screen time in grades 2K–2. Teacher-led whole/small-group technology use and specified accessibility, assessment, remote-learning and centrally approved instructional exceptions remain available.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Screen timeSchool-issued devices
Requirement
Required
Grades
2K through grade 2
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 3–5

NYCPS recommends no more than 30 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time for students in grades 3–5, with specified instructional, assessment and accessibility exceptions.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Screen timeSchool-issued devices
Requirement
Recommended
Grades
Grades 3 through 5
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS Screen Time Restrictions — Grades 6–8

NYCPS recommends no more than 45 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time for students in grades 6–8, with specified instructional, assessment and accessibility exceptions.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Screen timeSchool-issued devices
Requirement
Recommended
Grades
6-8
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS AI and Screen Time Policy Updates, 2026-27

Staff may use AI for planning and operations subject to ERMA privacy/security approval and procurement rules.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Staff AI
Requirement
Required
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS AI and Screen Time Policy Updates, 2026-27

AI may not be used for grading, behavior monitoring, placement, promotion, graduation or other decisions about students.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Staff AI
Requirement
Required
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
New York City Public Schools· DistrictCurrent

NYCPS AI and Screen Time Policy Updates, 2026-27

Schools notify families when students participate in approved AI programs; NYCPS supplies pilot guidance to affected families.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

AI governance
Requirement
Required
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
2026–27 school year. Exact board adoption and legal effective dates are not separately verified.
Penfield Central School District· DistrictCurrent

Penfield Artificial Intelligence Framework

Students may use district-approved tools within the instructor’s permitted assignment level; submitting AI work as original or using unapproved tools is prohibited.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

AI governance
Requirement
Required with local discretion
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Current district framework uses instructor-defined assignment levels and district-approved tools. The page does not establish a universal student AI prohibition or separate course deadline.
Penfield Central School District· DistrictCurrent

Penfield Artificial Intelligence Framework

Staff may use approved AI for planning and professional tasks with human review; AI cannot be the sole grader or decision maker.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

Staff AI
Requirement
Required with local discretion
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Current district framework uses instructor-defined assignment levels and district-approved tools. The page does not establish a universal student AI prohibition or separate course deadline.
Penfield Central School District· DistrictCurrent

Penfield Artificial Intelligence Framework

Students and staff must not enter personally identifiable or confidential information into AI tools.

Reviewed against official sources · Oct 4, 2026

AI governance
Requirement
Required with local discretion
Grades
All K-12
Learning evidence
No student-learning claim
School implementation
Current district framework uses instructor-defined assignment levels and district-approved tools. The page does not establish a universal student AI prohibition or separate course deadline.

Historical records

No records in this section have been published. This is an evidence gap in the collection, not a determination that no relevant action exists.

Evidence coverage & remaining research

Consistent 16-dimension checklist

Coverage & remaining research

Inventory reviewed October 3, 2026. 10/16 dimensions have published evidence of any status. Every dimension remains open to additional sources and superseding actions.

DimensionCurrent statewide evidenceOther published evidence
Personal devices1 linked action0 current district actions · 0 future, proposed, or historical
School-issued devicesNot yet established3 current district actions · 4 future, proposed, or historical
Screen timeNot yet established3 current district actions · 2 future, proposed, or historical
Student AINot yet established2 current district actions · 2 future, proposed, or historical
Staff AINot yet established3 current district actions · 0 future, proposed, or historical
AI governanceNot yet established3 current district actions · 0 future, proposed, or historical
Social media / networkNot yet established0 current district actions · 1 future, proposed, or historical
Privacy / cybersecurity2 linked actions0 current district actions · 0 future, proposed, or historical
AI literacyNot yet established1 current district action · 0 future, proposed, or historical
Computer scienceNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion
Digital literacyNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion
Media literacyNot yet established0 current district actions · 1 future, proposed, or historical
Digital citizenshipNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion
Cybersecurity literacyNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion
Data literacyNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion
Social-media literacyNot yet establishedResearch gap · no absence conclusion

Next checks: official state statutes and agency updates, grade-specific learning standards, superseding rules, and a broader district sample. Contribute a primary source.