Gov. Kay Ivey launches commission to study screen use in Alabama classrooms

Gov. Kay Ivey signs executive order to establish commission to study screen use for instruction in K-12 schools – Photo from Office of Gov. Kay Ivey

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Gov. Kay Ivey has signed an executive order to establish the Governor’s Commission on Screen-Based Instruction to study the use, risks and benefits of screen-based instruction in Alabama’s K-12 classrooms and provide recommendations.

“Responsible use of classroom screen time is a top priority of my administration, and while we are already making a difference by passing two signature laws to address it, we can still do more,”  Gov. Ivey said. “Children’s overexposure to screens is a barrier to classroom learning and the acquisition of critical emotional and social skills. We must continue exploring the proper role of screen time in classrooms of all ages.”

This executive order follows the passage of the FOCUS Act in 2025, which prohibits cell phones in classrooms and requires local school boards to adopt internet safety policies, and the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act in 2026, which limits the amount of screen time children in kindergarten classrooms and childcare facilities may be exposed to.

“Traditional classroom teaching methods emphasizing human interaction must remain the core of a child’s learning experience. We must therefore build on our progress by exploring how K-12 classrooms can also benefit from adjusting screen access so that it enhances and does not detract from learning. The creation of this Commission sets that process in motion,” Gov. Ivey said.

Gov. Ivey appointed the following commission members to serve until the final report is submitted to the governor, legislature and the Alabama State Board of Education by December 1:

State Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville) – Chair

Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)

State School Supt. Dr. Eric Mackey

Stephanie Pettis – Teacher, Mobile County

Laren Hammonds – Teacher, Tuscaloosa

Kelli Fischer – Principal, Opelika High School

Brandy White – Superintendent, Houston County

Misty Wilson – Education Specialist, State Dept. of Education

Frankie Mathis – Assistant Superintendent, Saraland

Nashedra Barry – Child Psychologist, Children’s Hospital

Brooke Gillis – Innovation Depot, Birmingham

Chris Jenks – Technology Director, Tuscaloosa City Schools

Cailin Kerch – Clinical Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Alabama

Amanda Salazar – Manufacture Alabama

The findings of the Commission will serve to inform new legislation addressing screen-based instruction that could be considered during the 2027 legislative session.

— Information from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey