May 15, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fayette County School Corporation Announces Shift in Technology Use for Youngest Learners
May 15, 2026
Connersville, Indiana — The Fayette County School Corporation (FCSC) is announcing an important shift in how technology will be utilized in our youngest classrooms beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
We believe deeply in the power of relationships, hands-on learning, meaningful connection, and the impact a great teacher can have in a classroom. After thoughtful consideration, conversations with educators and families, and a review of emerging research regarding screen time and brain development, the Fayette County School Corporation has made the decision to move away from 1:1 technology for students in Kindergarten and First Grade.
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. Students will still have occasional opportunities to engage with technology in purposeful and age-appropriate ways, but our primary focus will shift toward direct instruction, collaboration, creativity, movement, literacy-rich environments, 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 early years are foundational. Children learn best through relationships, active exploration, real-world experiences, and a strong sense of connection and belonging. 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.
In addition to this change for our primary grade levels, the corporation is also actively exploring screen time guidelines and best practices for other elementary grade levels in order to ensure technology use remains balanced, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate.
Fayette County School Corporation will also not be sending elementary Chromebook devices home with students during the summer months. This decision reflects our commitment to encouraging family engagement, outdoor activity, reading, creativity, and healthy balance away from screens when students are outside of the classroom setting.
This shift is not about rejecting technology. Instead, it is about being intentional with technology and recognizing that educational decisions should always be centered on what is best for students developmentally, academically, socially, and emotionally.
We remain committed to preparing students for the future while also protecting the critical experiences that shape strong foundations in early childhood.
“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. This decision reflects our belief that strong relationships, hands-on learning, and the presence of an exceptional teacher are some of the most powerful influences in a child’s life.”
— Jeremy Duncan, Superintendent
Fayette County School Corporation appreciates the partnership of our families, teachers, and community as we continue working together to create learning environments that put students first.