Nearly every public school district in Oregon has now implemented restrictions on cellphone use during school hours, following a statewide executive order issued by Governor Tina Kotek in July 2025. According to reporting from OPB, 99% of districts met the January 1, 2026, compliance deadline set by the order.

Johnna Timms, Director of Education Initiatives in the governor’s office, told legislators that feedback from students, educators, and parents has been largely positive. Members of the Oregon Department of Education’s Youth Advisory Council said classrooms feel more focused, and social interaction among students has increased.

Only four very small districts—each serving fewer than 50 students—have yet to formalize their cellphone policies. The Oregon Department of Education is working with those districts to provide model policies and technical support.

Some students have raised concerns about communication barriers during emergencies, and Timms acknowledged that implementation remains a work in progress. “Policies alone will not help our students feel safe or build connections — we must do that,” she told the Senate Education Committee.

Data from the Oregon Education Association suggest broad support among educators, with 88% reporting clear benefits from the restrictions. In Jefferson County, administrators say bullying and online harassment have dropped significantly since the policy began, while Portland-area librarians describe renewed enthusiasm for reading and in-person collaboration.

At Portland’s Grant High School, librarian Paige Battle reported that book checkouts are up by nearly 15% this school year, crediting the absence of screens for a revival in sustained reading habits. In Lake Oswego, school libraries have evolved into informal social spaces where students gather to read, talk, and play games without phones.

While legislators took no action at their Tuesday meeting, the issue marked a key discussion point in Oregon’s 2026 short session. Committee chair Sen. Lew Frederick closed the hearing on an optimistic note, quipping, “You mean it worked?”

For Cowlitz County families with students attending school across the Columbia River—particularly in Clatsop, Columbia, and Multnomah counties—the broad adoption could preview similar debates in Washington. Although no parallel policy exists in Washington State, several districts have recently begun considering restrictions on in-class cellphone use, citing classroom disruption and mental health concerns.