Schools have all kinds of tech now. They really feel so modern. But there are still some rules and practices that were never updated. Some of these sorta make sense. Others? Not so much. Here are thirteen school practices that feel outdated in 2025. What would you remove from schools if you could?
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Carrying heavy backpacks full of binders
You still see kids wobbling down the hall with massive backpacks. Most of them could double as gym equipment. And for what? All the worksheets are already on Google Classroom. Plus, most schools give out Chromebooks. The giant three-ring binder thing doesn’t make sense anymore. It’s a waste.
Sending printed permission slips and newsletters
Most parents will have found a wrinkled field trip form in their kid’s backpack. And it’s always two weeks late. Most of them check apps or email 50 times a day anyway. There’s no real reason for schools to keep sending home paper. If anything, it’s a waste of resources. Let’s think about the environment.
Assigning seats in every single class
Sure, assigned seats in the first week are fine. But some teachers stick to it too strictly. They act as though moving a kid to the other side of the room will create chaos. However, flexible seating actually helps a lot of kids stay focused. They’ll also have to move around for group work anyway. Why all the drama?
Enforcing zero-tolerance dress codes
The majority of students just wanna be comfortable & not freeze. But some schools still crack down on hoodies and ripped jeans. That takes away from actual learning. Now, it becomes a daily battle about socks and sleeves that genuinely benefits nobody. It also gets quite costly. So let’s quit it now.
Rushing students with a strict bell schedule
As soon as the bell rings, it’s suddenly a mad dash. Students barely have enough time to pee, much less breathe. Some schools are trying out transition time between classes. This is supposed to give them the time they need to actually get to class. But others? They’re way behind. It’s not fair.
Requiring exact school supplies by brand and color
Trying to find a neon green poly folder with prongs is practically impossible in late August. It’s a nightmare. Kids don’t all learn the same. So why are we still giving them cookie-cutter lists? Honestly, it’s not going to affect their learning experience. Having to get the exact same ruler or specific shade of notebook is ridiculous.
Taking phones away instead of teaching boundaries
Most kids never learn how to manage their screen time. Instead, many schools enforce a “no phones ever” rule. But these same schools use apps for attendance & grades. They ask kids to use technology to complete assignments. Talk about mixed signals. Teaching boundaries would serve kids better. It’d be more beneficial than locking their phones up. Seriously.
Focusing so heavily on standardized testing
For weeks at a time, it’s bubble sheets galore at school. That’s the case even when more schools are leaning into AI tools & creative projects. Unfortunately, standardized tests don’t really assess skills properly. Students aren’t graded on important things like problem-solving or communication ability. How often are you using test strategies at your job? Probably never.
Practicing handwriting like it’s still 1980
It’s strange that we’re doing cursive drills to this day. Whether it’s job applications or homework, we type most of it anyway. That’s not to say having legible handwriting is a bad thing. But dedicating hours to loops & slants? Not so much. It’d be like teaching kids how to use a fax machine. Not the best use of their time. It’s silly.
Using a static intercom for morning announcements
So many schools start the day with that crackly “GOOOOD MORNING, students” announcement. The speaker barely works in half the classrooms. Really, it’d be a better idea to record announcements & share them in homeroom. They could post them on the school app, too. Easy win.
Requiring physical textbooks when digital ones are better
Hardcovers sure are nostalgic. But digital textbooks are much lighter. They’re also easier to search. Best of all, they’re much cheaper than physical copies. Yet some schools still insist on physical copies. Most students end up using the online version, anyway. Expecting them to have a paper version is rather pointless.
Holding parent-teacher meetings only in person
Honestly, no parent likes racing across town for a 12-minute conference. It’s usually squeezed in between work & dinner. But the majority of schools still don’t have video calls. Why? We’re living in a post-Zoom world & that’s just unnecessary stress. Parents are already juggling enough, and clicking a link would make things easier. There’s no reason not to do it.
Treating creative subjects as non-essential electives
Many schools include subjects like music, coding, art & theater as “extra.” Yet these are the classes so many kids actually look forward to. Plus, creative jobs aren’t merely for fun. You can literally major in game design now. Why do schools still see drama as a “bonus”? It should be a proper subject in its own right. Because it is.
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