A northeast Missouri school district is changing how younger students use technology in the classroom. The moves comes after state legislative efforts to limit screen time fell short this year.
Ralls County schools will scale back one-to-one Chromebooks, which are laptop-style computers used for schoolwork. The dialing back will be for students in kindergarten through eighth grade starting next school year. High school students will continue to have individual devices, while younger students will use shared classroom technology when needed.
Superintendent David Koogler said the shift does not eliminate technology but changes how it is used in the classroom.
“Increased access to student technology does not automatically increase student learning,” Koogler said.
He said Chromebooks remain useful tools but do not need to be in students’ hands continuously throughout the day.
Teachers will still incorporate devices into lessons when appropriate, but the district is moving away from assigning a computer to every student. “We’re just not going to give the Chromebook out to every single kid and then trust that they’re going to be on task 100% of the time,” Koogler said.
Koogler said feedback from families and the community has been overwhelmingly positive, pointing to strong online engagement with the announcement.
“Honestly, like 100% positive … I looked last night, it’s like 87,000 views,” he said.
Koogler added that the response reflects growing interest in how schools balance technology and learning.
Copyright © 2026 · Missourinet