On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Governor Kevin Stitt issued the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge, inviting students, teachers, and superintendents statewide to propose solutions for managing cell phone use in schools. The initiative addresses concerns over distractions, bullying, and learning difficulties associated with cell phone usage.

“Cell phones are useful tools, but far too often, they cause distractions in the classroom. I know we can’t solve a problem like this with a top-down, heavy-handed government mandate,” said Governor Stitt. “I know our students and teachers have the creative and innovative minds to solve this problem in their classroom, so I want to empower them to do just that. That’s why we’re launching the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge.”

The challenge starts from Sep 11th, and participants have until Nov. 29 to submit their ideas, policies, and best practices to the Governor’s Office. These submissions will be reviewed for inclusion in an Oklahoma Phone-Free Schools best practices report, which will be compiled by Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders and Chief Advisor of Health and Mental Health Ellen Buettner.

“Student attention is being challenged in ways we’ve never faced before,” Sanders said. “Students are enduring a mental health epidemic that can’t be ignored, and we have an opportunity to eliminate one of the driving culprits: cell phones. As we explore the idea of cell phone-free schools, we’ll put student mental health first, approach it with empathy, and take our classrooms back.”

"I applaud Governor Stitt for his proactive stance on cell phone use in Oklahoma schools,” said Buettner. “By launching the Oklahoma Phone-Free Schools Challenge, we are taking a critical step toward safeguarding students' mental health and enhancing their educational experiences. This effort will provide valuable insight into the impact of cell phones on academic performance and mental health.”

Executive Order 2024-26 can be read in full here.