After signing legislation into law on Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey ensured that K-12 students would not be permitted to have cell phones and other electronic communication devices starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
The legislation had two versions, carried by State Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena) in the House and State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) in the Senate. The so-called Freeing our classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act bans students from possessing a wireless communication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds during the instructional day. The bill allows for devices to remain on school grounds so long as they are turned off and stored in a locker, backpack, car or similar storage location.
"In my state of the state address, I repeated the requests of Alabama teachers and parents in calling for a ban on student cell phone use in our schools," Ivey said. "Smart phones have beneficial roles when used in proper settings. However, these often-disruptive devices have no place in our classrooms during the school day except for educational purposes or during an emergency. The FOCUS Act will enable students to 'focus' on learning while in school rather than on their phones."
The bill also requires local boards of education to adopt policies governing cell phone use, including consequences for violations.
"As a parent, equipping my children to excel in all aspects of life is priority number one, and what they learn in the classroom plays an immense role in that," Hulsey said. "The FOCUS Act will limit distractions and provide an avenue for every student in our state to get the absolute most out of their day at school, leading to a stronger Alabama of tomorrow. I am grateful to Governor Ivey for the opportunity to sponsor this important legislation and sincerely appreciate the support of my colleagues in the House and Senate."
At the bill signing, Ivey was joined by Hulsey, Chesteen, and students and teachers from Pike Road Junior High, which boasted of academic success stemming from the school's policy of bagging student cell phones.
"Governor Ivey, thank you for your leadership," said Pike Road Junior High Principal Christy Wright. "The truth is this isn't just about a law, it's about what happens when students and teachers are given the space and focus to grow. At the Pike Road Georgia Washington Campus, we implemented a no cell phone policy well before this bill was passed and the results have been powerful. We've seen a clear shift in our school culture: more engagement, deeper connections, and a greater sense of community. But the impact hasn't just been social, it's also academic. I am incredibly proud to share that our eighth-grade learners recently took the PSAT 8/9, and the results came in just yesterday. Not only did our school reach our growth target of a 60-point increase, we exceeded it with a 95-point gain. Even more impressively, our scores are 39 points above the national average. That is an extraordinary accomplishment."
Although the bill takes effect immediately, the restrictions will not begin until the start of the 2025-2026 school year in August.
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