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Petition Letter Template
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Four Norms

Petition for Reasonable EdTech limits in Our Schools

This campaign helps parent groups advocate for responsible technology policies that limit excessive screen time, require evidence-based implementation, and prioritize proven educational methods during students' most critical learning years.

Addresses these norms:
Ed Tech
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Customizable petition letter template
Supporter recruitment tools
Automated signature collection
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Join 500+ parents already taking action
Always free • Fully customizable • 2-minute setup

Curated from expert organizations across the movement

The Balance Project

Phone-Free Schools Movement

Turning Life On

100+ Communities

How It Works

Professional campaigns in minutes. No more copying Google Docs or manually collecting signatures. Everything you need to run a successful campaign in one place.

1. Guided Setup

Follow our guided process to create and customize the campaign for your community in under 5 minutes.

2. Share & Recruit

Use our one-click sharing tools to invite your network via email, social media, or text. No managing multiple platforms.

3. Collect Signatures

Supporters sign digitally via your unique campaign landing page. No manual work on your end, we track progress for you.

4. Take Action

Generate professional PDFs with signature pages. Present to school boards and stakeholders with confidence and credibility.

Local action, national impact: When you publish on Four Norms, your campaign joins a growing shared movement. We automatically aggregate insights at the national level so you can focus on what matters—your community.

Proven Language That Works

This campaign template has been refined by successful parent organizers and tested in dozens of communities.

Petition for Reasonable EdTech limits in Our Schools

This campaign helps parent groups advocate for responsible technology policies that limit excessive screen time, require evidence-based implementation, and prioritize proven educational methods during students' most critical learning years.

Dear [Superintendent/Principal Name],
We are writing to express our deepest concern regarding the overreliance of our public schools on screen-based learning.
Our children are already spending an enormous amount of time on screens outside of school, averaging nine hours per day for high school students, according to recent studies. Excessive screen time has been associated with many serious issues, including anxiety and depression, executive function disorders, eye disorders, sleep loss, neck pain, and screen addiction.
It is for these reasons that we applauded [District Name]'s recent policy on personal devices. However, it's time to acknowledge that school-issued devices present urgent problems of their own.
Internet access on classroom devices can fragment students' attention, making it difficult for them to think deeply and stay on task. Indeed, numerous studies have shown better comprehension and retention when students learn on paper vs screens. Classroom devices also create new behavioral challenges for teachers, requiring them to police online activity instead of teaching.
EdTech apps pose privacy risks through their collection of student data. And by gamifying the learning experience, they can undermine children's ability to focus on work that doesn't trigger short-term rewards, thereby diminishing the capacity for deep thinking.
Additionally, computer-based homework can be a gateway to unsanctioned online activity, placing an undue burden on parents to monitor their children's online activity at home.
Our Requests
We are proposing the following steps [District Name] can take now to begin addressing these concerns
1. Establish a Technology Advisory Committee
Establish a collaborative technology advisory committee with parent & teacher representatives to evaluate both existing and prospective EdTech products, determining whether their educational value outweighs potential harms. This committee must rely on independent research regarding each product's efficacy, rather than studies provided by the companies themselves.

2. Reduce 1:1 Device Programs
Eliminate 1:1 device programs for elementary schools, and limit use in middle & high schools to times when screens provide a unique educational benefit. Devices can be distributed on carts or in a tech lab where educationally relevant rather than permanently assigned to students.

3. Limit Number of EdTech Products
Utilize research-backed models, like EverySchool's EdTech Triangle,  to be deliberate about EdTech products approved for the classroom.
4. Monitor and Limit Screen Time
Monitor the amount of time students spend on screens during the school day, and establish specific limits. Schools must also adhere to manufacturer guidelines for the safe use of digital devices, including all ergonomic and eye protection measures.
5. Allow Teacher and School Opt-Outs
Allow individual teachers & schools to opt out of district mandates (or "guidelines") for the use of specific EdTech products [like I-Ready, insert your district's products here], provided their students meet reasonable benchmarks for academic progress.
6. Student Opt-Out Options
Allow students to opt out of computer-based activities if requested by a parent and/or medical or mental health professional, with alternative learning methods provided.
Next Steps
We would be very happy to meet with you to discuss these concerns at your earliest convenience. Our goal is to work collaboratively with [District Name] to ensure our children receive the highest quality education while protecting their health and development.
[LOCAL CONTEXT SECTION - Add 2-3 sentences about your community: Example: "As parents in the [School Name/District Name] community, we have seen firsthand how excessive screen time affects our children's ability to focus and engage in meaningful learning. We believe these changes will benefit not only academic outcomes but also student wellbeing."]
On behalf of our children, we respectfully request that you take this issue seriously and work with our community to implement these evidence-based improvements.
Sincerely, 
The undersigned

Why This Language Works:

  • Focuses on shared values, not technology fears
  • Uses inclusive "we" language to build community
  • Backed by research but stays conversational
  • Provides specific, actionable commitments
Join 500+ parents already taking action
Always free • Fully customizable • 2-minute setup

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about running a successful campaign.

Can I modify the template language?

Absolutely! While our templates provide proven messaging frameworks, you can customize details, add local context, and adjust tone to match your community's needs.

What if I'm not experienced with organizing?

That's exactly why we built this! Our templates include step-by-step guidance, proven language, and everything you need. Most successful organizers using Four Norms had zero experience when they started.

How do digital signatures work?

Parents sign using their name and email on any device. Signatures are legally valid for petitions and generate professional PDFs with signature pages for presentations.

How much time does this take?

Initial setup takes about 5 minutes. After that, most organizers spend 2-3 hours per week managing their campaign. Our automation handles the heavy lifting—you focus on building relationships.

What if no one signs?

Our templates have been tested in 50+ communities with consistently strong results. Plus, you get access to our community of organizers who share what's working. We also provide coaching calls to help troubleshoot.

Is this really free?

Yes! Starting a campaign is completely free. You can collect unlimited signatures and use all our basic tools. We offer premium features for power users, but most successful campaigns use only the free tier.

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