FOCUS Act in action throughout Alabama

By Brooklyn Steinert, School Life Editor

This year, the state of Alabama has implemented the FOCUS Act for schools. 

Short for Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act, this act eliminates the use of all personal bluetooth devices. This includes devices like  cell phones, e-readers, tablets, smartwatches, gaming devices and wireless headphones or earbuds.

This is a policy that all public schools in Alabama must follow. 

Across the state, school boards are enforcing it in different ways.

According to ABC News, Tuscaloosa City Schools uses  “Yondr” pouches which locks away a student’s phone. 

However, in Madison City Schools, students can still keep their devices in their backpack, as long as they’re powered off and aren’t taken out during the school day (which is during 8:15-3:20).

This rule also applies to any in school events, such as pep rallies, sporting events, or the academic celebration.

Students who do not follow this rule will face disciplinary actions. 

According to a Madison City Schools news update, “the new policy will be enforced with disciplinary consequences set out in the Board’s revised Code of Student Conduct available for the 2025-26 school year.”

Principal Shannon Brown said this is a big change for everyone.

“It has definitely been a time of adjustment for everyone,” he said. “For the most part, our students have been doing well with this new expectation.”

Brown said he has noticed a positive change in how students interact with each other. 

“I have noticed much more student face to face communication [and] interaction,” he said.