Cell Phones

This summer, Gov. Tina Kotek issued an executive order mandating all 197 Oregon school districts ban the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. Districts still have a little time to adopt their phone-free policies –but some have already made the switch.

The order prohibits students from using phones during the entire school day, what's known as "bell-to-bell." Districts must adopt this policy by the end of October and begin enforcement by Jan. 1.

Every Oregon school district will have to adopt a policy prohibiting student cellphone use by Oct. 31. The policies must be in full effect by 2026.

Republicans were split in their support of House Bill 2251, which passed the Oregon House on Tuesday after a lively debate. Now, it heads to the Senate.

The state agency is the latest to express concern about students’ use of personal devices at school.