Lawton, OK – Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced that his “Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge” will continue into 2025, despite ongoing debates among state lawmakers about the possibility of a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms. While some are pushing for a complete ban, Stitt remains cautious about implementing such mandates and says he is still evaluating the situation.
The governor expressed confidence in the progress of his challenge, which encourages schools across the state to reduce cellphone use during class time in an effort to minimize distractions. Stitt visited several schools, including those in Jenks and Bixby, and believes the initiative has been successful in creating environments where students are less distracted and teachers can focus on instruction.
In an interview with Fox 25, Stitt shared his optimism about the program’s impact, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a classroom free from distractions. “Bell-to-bell no cell,” Stitt said, referring to the challenge’s goal of keeping cellphones out of sight during school hours. He added that students and teachers alike have reported positive outcomes since the challenge’s implementation, including improved focus and reduced feelings of missing out (FOMO), which can often arise when students are constantly checking their phones.
According to Stitt, feedback from students has been encouraging, with many saying they feel more engaged and able to concentrate when phones are not present. He also suggested that limiting cellphone use could help reduce bullying in schools, contributing to a healthier learning environment. “We think learning’s going up. We think bullying goes down,” Stitt said.
Despite these positive reports, Stitt is hesitant to enforce a statewide mandate for schools. “I hate mandates,” he explained. “This is a local school district deal. I’m trying to encourage the parents and the superintendents. Let’s do the right thing.” The governor believes that local school districts should be empowered to make decisions that best serve their students, rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all policy.
Stitt’s approach encourages collaboration between parents, teachers, and school leaders to create solutions that prioritize education. He has called for Oklahoma to focus on becoming “top 10 in everything” and views reducing classroom distractions as a step in that direction.
However, the governor did leave open the possibility of further action if cellphone-related disruptions continue to be a significant issue. While he remains hopeful about the success of the challenge, Stitt stated that if the trend of classroom distractions persists, he would consider a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. For now, he continues to advocate for a collective effort to ensure Oklahoma’s students are receiving the best possible education free from distractions.