Fayette Co. Schools nixing 1:1 technology for kindergartners, first graders

(CONNERSVILLE, Ind.) – Fayette County Schools have announced a shift in technology use for their youngest learners. 

The school district has made the decision to move away from 1:1 technology for kindergartners and first graders beginning next year. 

“While technology will continue to play an important role in education, students in our K–1 classrooms will no longer be issued individual devices for daily use,” the district announced. 

Those students will still have opportunity to engage in technology, but the primary focus will be on direct instruction, collaboration, creativity, movement, reading and hands-on experiences. 

“Much research continues to highlight concerns regarding excessive screen exposure for young children, particularly in relation to attention span, language development, social interaction, and cognitive growth,” the school added. 

School officials added that they are not rejecting technology, but rather putting more of a focus on being intentional with its use. 

“Children only get one childhood. We want our youngest learners spending more time talking, creating, exploring, building relationships, and learning directly from caring adults…not through screens,” they said. 

The school added, “Nothing can replace the impact of a caring teacher who knows their students, builds confidence, inspires curiosity, and creates a classroom where every child feels seen, valued, and supported.

Fayette County Schools said they will also explore screen time guidelines for other elementary grade levels and Chromebooks will no longer be sent home with elementary students during summer months.