Will the teacher say no?
Sometimes part of the work only exists online, such as a reading program or practice for a state test. Ask which parts could be printed, and offer to print them at home.
PencilGoCan I ask for paper homework instead of a Chromebook?
Yes, you can ask. A growing number of schools already keep elementary homework or devices off screens at home, and most teachers would rather hear from you than guess. Here’s where it’s already happening, a short note you can send, and how to keep practice going on paper.
Last checked October 29, 2026.
Where homework and devices are already staying off screens at home
| Where | What applies |
|---|---|
| Utah (all public elementary schools) | Homework that requires the internet or a device is banned in K–6, under district policies due before July 1, 2027. Utah’s rule explained |
| Henrico County, VA | Elementary devices stay in the classroom, so no digital homework. 29News |
| Los Angeles Unified, CA | Devices stay at school unless parents object. AP |
| Iowa (all districts) | K–5 technology policies must tell parents they can ask for further reductions in screen time. Iowa Dept. of Education FAQ |
Not in one of these places? You can still ask. The state-by-state tracker shows what applies where you live. Utah’s rule comes from H.B. 273.
A note you can send the teacher
Hi [Teacher’s name], Thank you for everything you’re doing with [child’s name] this year. We’re trying to keep screen time at home low, and I wanted to ask whether [child’s name] could do some homework on paper instead of the Chromebook. If some assignments only work online, that’s fine. Could you let me know which ones could be printed? I’m happy to print them at home. Thank you, [Your name]
Tips that make a yes more likely
- Keep it short and friendly. Teachers are busy. One question is easier to answer than a list.
- Offer to do the printing. It removes the extra work for the teacher.
- Ask what’s possible, not for everything. Some programs and state-test practice only exist online.
- If it’s a school-wide rule, ask the teacher who sets it, then ask the principal or the district’s technology office.
Keep extra practice on paper too
PencilGo gives your child one short practice sheet a day, on paper. When it’s done, you take one photo. We mark it, show you what they got right and wrong, and pick the next sheet. About five minutes a day, free, and your child never touches a screen.
Print today’s free sheetQuestions parents ask
Should I go to the teacher or the principal?
Start with the teacher. If the device or homework rules are set for the whole school or district, the teacher can point you to the principal or the district’s technology policy.
What if my child has an IEP or 504 plan that uses a device?
Keep whatever the plan sets out. Laws that limit screens, like Utah’s, exempt device use in an IEP or 504 plan.
More for parents
Information only, not legal advice. District rules change; check your school’s own policy.