Two bills currently before the Vermont Legislature address the growing role of technology in public schools. H.650, which has passed the House and is now before the Senate, would require all educational technology vendors to register with the state and disclose their data privacy practices, use of AI, and advertising policies. H.830 would give students and families the right to opt out of electronic device use for coursework, requiring schools to provide non-digital alternatives — though the bill missed a key deadline and may be folded into broader education legislation later this session.
District leaders support student data privacy but have raised concerns about both bills. A state-level vetting process for every software tool could create significant bureaucratic hurdles, and requiring teachers to build entirely separate non-digital curriculum tracks for individual students is considered impractical. Families should know that MVSD already uses legally binding Data Privacy Agreements through the Vermont Student Data Privacy Alliance, monitors school-issued accounts for safety, and tracks software usage to ensure responsible spending. The district will continue monitoring both bills through the end of the session.