Birmingham Schools Set Goals for New Year, Prepare for FOCUS Act Enforcement

Birmingham City Schools Focus on Attendance and Student Well-Being

As the new school year approaches, Birmingham City Schools is taking proactive steps to engage with families and share updates on the district’s progress and future goals. Through a series of back-to-school meetings, the district is highlighting what has been successful and where further improvements are needed.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan recently presented the progress made in the second year of the district’s strategic plan during one of the initial sessions. A key success story is the significant reduction in chronic absenteeism. The district has managed to cut its chronic absence rate from 29% to 14% over recent years. Dr. Sullivan attributes this improvement to targeted initiatives like Every Day Counts, a program developed in partnership with the City of Birmingham. This initiative encourages daily attendance by offering positive incentives to students and their families.

Despite these gains, Dr. Sullivan emphasized that another critical area now requires more attention: student well-being. He explained that the district conducts surveys at the beginning and end of the school year to monitor student mental health, particularly among middle and high school students. Based on the data collected, the district is committed to enhancing mental health support and ensuring that every student feels connected to their school environment. The goal is to have caring adults available at each school who can provide guidance and support when students face challenges.

This focus on mental health comes at a time when new state legislation is also influencing the student experience. The FOCUS Act, passed earlier in 2025, prohibits the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, during school hours. While some parents have expressed concerns about being unable to reach their children in emergencies, others, like Keisha Hooks, believe the law could be beneficial. She noted that previous generations managed without cell phones and suggested that the change could encourage more human interaction in classrooms.

Dr. Sullivan reminded families that while the law originates from the state level, the district had already implemented a similar policy. The new mandate expands the definition of restricted devices, making it clear that all personal electronics are subject to the rule. Each school system is responsible for enforcing the law, and in Birmingham, the district’s code of conduct outlines that any student found violating the policy will have their device confiscated and must be picked up by a parent on the first offense.

Upcoming parent meetings are scheduled to continue the dialogue between the district and families. Sessions are planned for Huffman High School on Wednesday, July 30, and Wenonah High School on Thursday, July 31, both starting at 5:30 p.m. These events offer an opportunity for parents to learn more about the district’s initiatives and ask questions directly to school leaders.

For those interested in learning more about the district’s strategic plan or accessing resources for the upcoming school year, additional information is available through various channels. Families can also stay informed by downloading news alerts on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or by subscribing to the district’s email newsletter.