NYC Public Schools AI & Screen Time Policy 2026–27: What Families Need to Know
New York City Public Schools has introduced citywide AI and screen-time guardrails for the 2026–27 school year. The policy is strictest for younger students: student-facing generative AI is not permitted in grades 2K–8, while high-school use is limited to approved programs and supervised career-readiness settings. NYCPS is also reducing routine one-to-one device use in younger grades. This guide separates the AI rules, screen-time guidance, accessibility exceptions and the separate school-day personal-device rule families will encounter this year.
NYCPS says software using student-facing generative AI is not permitted in these grades for 2026–27.
High-school use is limited to approved pilots, AI literacy and certain supervised career-readiness settings.
The policy limits routine individual interaction with a computer or tablet, subject to listed exceptions.
NYCPS recommends no more than 30 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time.
NYCPS recommends no more than 45 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time.
Grades 2K–8: student-facing generative AI is not permitted
For the 2026–27 school year, NYCPS says software using student-facing generative AI is not permitted in grades 2K through 8. The restriction applies specifically to generative AI tools that create new text, images, audio or other content in response to a student’s instructions.
NYCPS says the policy is intended to protect developmentally appropriate learning, human interaction and the reading, writing, reasoning and problem-solving students need to do themselves.
This is a rule for student-facing generative AI in NYCPS instruction. It is not a claim that every form of software or every classroom screen is prohibited.
High-school AI use is limited, not open-ended
For grades 9–12, NYCPS allows student-facing generative AI only in limited, guided settings. The city has centrally approved five high-school pilots: Quill, Edia, Brisk Teaching, Playlab and Intel AI-Ready Schools. Schools must apply, and NYCPS says an individual student will participate in only one approved pilot.
Career-readiness programs such as Career and Technical Education can also use certain AI tools when the use is supervised by a teacher and tied to the program. Families are to be notified when students participate in approved programs.
A random consumer AI service is not automatically approved for classroom use just because a student is in high school.
Every high-school student gets AI literacy instruction
NYCPS says all high-school students will be required to complete two 45-minute AI literacy modules. The modules cover how AI works, data privacy and bias, and appropriate uses of AI in school.
Students in approved pilots or career-readiness pathways can receive more in-depth AI literacy connected with those programs.
Screen-time limits depend on grade
- Grades 2K–2 — no routine 1:1 screen time
- Grades 3–5 — NYCPS recommends no more than 30 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time
- Grades 6–8 — NYCPS recommends no more than 45 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time
- Grades 9–12 — screen time remains school/course dependent
NYCPS defines 1:1 screen time as a student directly interacting with an individual computer or tablet. Teacher-led whole-group or small-group technology use can still be allowed.
The screen-time policy has important exceptions
The limits do not override assistive technology or associated screen time required through an Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan. NYCPS also says students with disabilities and multilingual/English language learners continue to have access to tools needed for communication and instruction.
Other listed exceptions include assessments such as screeners and diagnostics, remote instruction, and centrally approved instructional uses such as e-books, robotics, coding and simulations.
If a child relies on a device or software for accessibility, do not assume the general screen-time limit removes that support. The IEP or 504 team determines required assistive technology.
Teachers may use approved AI — but not to make key decisions about students
NYCPS allows teachers and staff to use approved AI tools for instructional planning and operational work subject to privacy, security and procurement requirements.
The policy says AI may not be used for grading, behavior monitoring, placement, promotion, graduation or other decisions about students. Special-education documents, counseling, crisis intervention and therapeutic support remain the work of qualified professionals.
Software must pass NYCPS privacy and security review
Before an education technology tool can be used with students, NYCPS says it must pass the Enterprise Request Management Application, or ERMA, review for data privacy and security.
The city says the review process checks vendor obligations under New York State Education Law 2-d and related student-data requirements. Families can use NYCPS’s privacy resources and contact their school when they have questions about a specific tool.
This policy is separate from the school-day personal-device rule
NYCPS’s Back to School Checklist separately tells families that, under New York State law, students may not use personal internet-enabled electronic devices such as cell phones on school grounds during the school day. Each school shares its own device-use and storage procedure.
The AI/screen-time policy governs instructional technology and student-facing generative AI; the personal-device rule governs devices such as a student’s own phone. Families should review both before the first day of school.
What to ask your school before September 10
- How and where will personal phones and other internet-enabled devices be stored during the school day?
- Does my high-school student participate in an approved AI pilot or career-readiness program?
- What AI literacy modules will high-school students complete and when?
- How is routine 1:1 device time handled in my child’s grade?
- Which exceptions or assistive technologies apply through my child’s IEP, 504 Plan or language-access needs?
- Who should I contact if I have questions about a software tool used in class?
NYCPS says families can start with the school principal and can also raise broader concerns through the School Leadership Team or Community Education Council.
The policy is specifically for the 2026–27 school year
NYCPS describes these rules as the 2026–27 approach and says a Technology in Schools Coalition will help inform future policy. The coalition is expected to include students, educators, parent leaders and other partners and to deliver recommendations for 2027–28.
That makes this a policy worth rechecking each school year rather than assuming the same limits will automatically continue unchanged.